By Duncan Mackay

Teresa Perales at Zaragoza poolMarch 16 - Spain's six-time Paralympic gold medallist Teresa Perales has admitted that she fears for her future after the only 50 metres swimming pool in her hometown Zaragoza was closed because of the economic crisis in the country. 


The 37-year-old, who has won a total of 22 medals in the last three Paralympic Games, now has to train in a 25m pool with members of the public because the nearest Olympic-sized pool is more than 300 kilometres away. 

It is a major disruption for Perales ahead of this year's International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Swimming Championships in Montreal in August. 

"My training for Montreal is not going very well at all because the swimming pool I have used for years to train in closed in December," she told www.paralympic.org.

"It might reopen in May but for now I have no 50m pool to train in and instead am having to train in a 25m pool.

"It's just not the same."

The revelation will be an embarrassment to officials from Madrid's campaign to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, who are preparing to welcome the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission on Monday (March 18) to inspect their bid.

Perales, who carried Spain's flag at the Opening Ceremony of London 2012, where she won one gold medal 100 metres freestyle is due to be among the speakers who will give presentations to the Commission, chaired by Britain's Sir Craig Reedie. 

Spain's economic crisis is seen as the biggest obstacle to its capital beating rivals Istanbul and Tokyo.

Teresa Perales opening ceremony London 2012Teresa Perales carried Spain's flag at the Opening Ceremony of London 2012

"I'm really frustrated," Perales, who was diagnosed with neuropathy at the age 19 and lost the use of her legs within three months, told www.paralympic.org

"After London I needed a break but now I really need to get back into training and want to step up my preparations for the World Championships but can't.

"It's not just the change of distance that is a problem.

In the 50m pool I had a dedicated lane to train in, but in the new 25m pool I cannot pay for that.

"As a result I'm training in the pool alongside members of the public.

"Whilst swimming I'm constantly having to look up in front of me so I don't swim into unsuspecting members of the public."

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