Launched in November 2012, the United for a Dream campaign is using 40 of the most talented young male and female Spanish athletes to help promote the spirit of the Olympics throughout Spain and to build momentum for the Madrid 2020 bid.

"You represent the best of Spain: its values," said Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) and Madrid 2020 President Alejandro Blanco.

"The involvement of each and every one of us is our strength.

"We have to win.

"There is no other outcome.

"We have all had to work hard and this is a dream of Spain's as a whole."


Each of the 40 athletes, who participate in a range of Olympic and Paralympic sports, will have a journalist from print, radio, television or online media document their progress and provide interviews and updates as well as having their own page on the official Madrid 2020 bid website.

London 2012 taekwondo gold medallist Joel González is one of those athletes involved.

Speaking at the event, the 23-year-old, who is the oldest member of this second group of athletes, said: "Winning one last medal at Madrid would be the perfect way to end my career."

London 2012 Paralympic gold medallists Alfonso Cabello Flames and Michelle Alonso Morales are also included in the standard bearer group of athletes.

Both phases of the initiative involve all of Spain's sports federations and aims to provide a high-profile showcase of the strength of the country's young Olympic and Paralympic talent.


Blanco was joined at the unveiling event by Madrid Mayor Ana Botella, former European 10,000 metres champion Chema Martínez and international walker Lorena Luaces.

Botella believes that as part of the overall Madrid 2020 Olympic bid the project will leave a lasting legacy for Madrid and the whole of Spain.

"We are all sailing on the same ship," she said.

"This project belongs to every one of us and it will provide young people with the perfect chance to gain experience in the labour market."

Madrid is up against Tokyo and Istanbul as Olympic 2020 bid cities.

The host city will be announced at the 125th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Buenos Aires in September.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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