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It was one of the sensations of the summer. One of those great songs that cross all borders. Iñigo Llopis (San Sebastián, 1998) returned from the World Swimming Championships, held in Manchester, with two gold medals. His performances, accompanied by a lot of charisma and a much-needed message, reached John Cena, WWE superstar. “Congratulations for never giving up!” the American dedicated to Iñigo, who was born with a shorter femur and right arm. From a family of athletes (his father is Luis Llopis, Real Madrid’s goalkeeping coach), he also studies Social Integration. As a close to a magical 2023, he speaks with AS after improving his own Spanish record in the 50 meter backstroke (S8 category), last weekend.
What a way to end the year! You’ll be happy, right?
Very happy, really. The Rotterdam rally (Netherlands) It was the first official competition of the 2024 season. I broke the record in the 50 meter backstroke, but I also achieved my best mark at this point of the year in the 100 meter backstroke. In the 50 meter butterfly, I was close to my best time. The feelings have been very good for December.
You already have a place for the Paris Paralympic Games, but you need to ratify it with the minimum. When will you be able to do it?
The marks from this last competition are already worth it to us. The minimums haven’t come out yet, but I don’t think they’ll ask me for more than what I’ve done in Rotterdam. Let’s hope this is worth it.
Are you in your best sporting moment?
I feel good. In the World Championships, the results were very good, but also in the championships in May and June, in which I performed very well despite having high training loads. Now, I have started again very well.
What events do you have in mind for Paris 2024?
We still don’t know 100%. The 100 meter backstroke, for sure. Then, 400 meters freestyle and we would have to see the relays. It will depend on how we get there. I will try to do my best so that the coach chooses me for the replacement. I want to swim it, of course.
What is your schedule until then?
The most important date is the European Championships, from April 21 to 27. It is a championship similar to the Games. They serve us a little as preparation, but they are still Europeans and we all want to perform and medal. Then, I also have Nationals and World Series.
They will be his third Games. Does the way of living them change a lot?
I went to Rio a bit on the rebound because of the Russia issue. (was sanctioned). I took it as a reward for a very hard year. Those Games were about being able to enjoy the experience. Everything is ten times bigger. You got to the pool and it was a party. I had only competed in some Europeans, with a crowd of swimmers and family members. I arrived in Rio and I was amazed. I had no pressure either. I didn’t even make it to the final, ninth place was the best. It gave me that experience, because some Games can surprise you.
He went to Tokyo with a different mentality…
Yes, I was thinking that I wanted my medal in the 100 meter backstroke (it was silver). Rio helped me so that everything in Tokyo didn’t catch me all at once. Because you imagine it is the bomb, but until you live it you don’t realize everything it means. At the Games, everyone wants to keep an eye on everything, but the important thing is to swim.
Disabled or not, everyone does things their own way
Inigo Llopis
And what do you expect from Paris?
Let there be an audience. Furthermore, there is nothing by train from Donosti to Paris. My family and friends can go see me, leave and, when I compete again, take the train again (laughs). In sports, like in Tokyo, thinking about performing at the highest level.
When, as a child, you started as a soccer goalkeeper, did you expect to be at your third Games at the age of 25… and as a swimmer?
No way. If you told me some Games, I would have been amazed. If you tell me about swimming, I would have been even more amazed. It is true that, although I couldn’t imagine it, in the club, Konporta, we had Richard Oribe, who has gone to many Games. ‘Are you going to Rio?’, he told me. ‘What’s up, what’s up’, he replied. But the years went by… until one day I told him: ‘Holy shit, Richard, in the end I’m going anyway.’ I couldn’t have imagined going to three.
And more will fall!
It would be cool. The next ones are in Los Angeles, right? I’ll try to go until they kick me out. I like to swim and I like to compete.
That competitive gene runs in the family. What part of the blame is her father?
I, at least, don’t compete that often. My aita He has a game every three days… He has always taught me that you have to work hard and enjoy yourself. Then, give it your all. And as far as we go.
After the World Cups, he was in Real Madrid training. I saw him talking to Ancelotti. What did he tell you?
There is a very good relationship. They are always very aware of my results. They told me that my father went crazy. The day of my final I caught them in Orlando and they didn’t know what was happening with all the shouting. Very good vibe.
Did you have to give a speech?
No (laughs). Ancelotti explained to them that he was Luis’s son and what he had achieved. Many players already knew me. And I am happy to share my achievements and theirs. And let it continue like this. May they win many Champions Leagues and I, many medals.
Are you from Madrid?
No, I’m from Athletic.
That is why its celebration (moves his hand in front of his face, like Toquero and John Cena)clear…
That is (laughs).
May Madrid win many Champions Leagues and I, many medals
Well, from San Sebastián and Athletic…
Caparrós called me aita for Athletic. I grew up going to San Mamés and Lezama, not to be from Athetic. In the end, your father has to win because he is your father, but I am already from Athletic. He has also been in Mallorca, Levante, Real… You keep something from each team, because you love them all, but Atheltic is forever.
Have you considered playing football again?
Yes, really, but I don’t know how I would do it. In amputee soccer, those who play goalkeeper have both legs and play with one arm. And those who play with crutches play without the prosthesis and with one leg. With my arm it is difficult for me to pick up a crutch. I would like to be a goalkeeper, but I am still the only goalkeeper with a prosthetic leg. Now we have to continue swimming fully.
Whether it’s soccer or swimming, you understand sport as a form of empowerment.
It’s a way to see everything you can do. With swimming, I have had incredible experiences. Furthermore, physically, it has been very good for my disability. It’s a way for others to see that they don’t have to sit at home doing nothing just because of their disability. You have to find a way to do what you set out to do in your own way. Disabled or not, everyone does things their own way. It may help you to see that others with disabilities do it. If that helps and is a push, it’s the bomb.