For all the luminaries from Spain that have graced triathlon, it remains the case that the country has only ever claimed one Olympic medal in the sport: Javier Gomez Noya’s silver in 2012.
As a country that has churned out so many talents (and claimed seven men’s WTCS titles between Gomez and Mola alone), it seems like a surprisingly low return. Looking ahead to the Paris Olympic Games, though, the Spanish federation will look to change that as they compose their team. Luckily for the selectors, they are spoilt for choice.
At this point in time, the likelihood is that Spain will qualify three men and two women for Paris; the relay is due to qualify by right while enough men are in the top-30 of the Olympic Qualification rankings to secure a third slot.
With WTCS medallists and World Cup winners to choose from, the talent exists to double Spain’s Olympic medal haul. The challenge will be picking the right team.
Who has been selected already?
Miriam Casillas Garcia claimed the first women’s slot. In an alternative approach to many other countries, Spain had different criteria for its men’s and women’s teams. Casillas did not hit the requirements of a top-8 finish at the Paris Test Event or securing a top-12 place in the world rankings. However, she satisfied the priority two criterion of a place in the top-20 of the world rankings. Right now, Casillas is ranked 20th in the world rankings (and 14th in the Olympic Qualification rankings).
On the men’s side, no one met the criteria of a top-3 finish in Paris or being in the top-8 of the world rankings. Under the second priority, the slot was thus assigned to Antonio Serrat Seoane.
The relevant criterion stated that the selected athlete had to be in the top-15 of the world rankings although Serrat is actually ranked 16th in the world. However, he is 14th in the Olympic Qualification rankings so that may have counted in his favour.
Both Casillas and Serrat will have to prove their fitness in 2024 before formally accepting their slots. For Casillas, a WTCS top-15 finish or a World Cup top-8 finish will be needed (or she will have to pass an equivalent test). Meanwhile, Serrat will need a top-12 finish at a WTCS race or a top-5 result at a World Cup (or he will have to pass an equivalent test).
Who could take the remaining slots?
Women
With priority two now satisfied from the selection policy, the remaining slots will be allocated on an entirely discretionary basis.
The front-runner in the women’s race is Noelia Juan. Standing in 31st in the Olympic Qualification rankings, Juan was a World Cup medallist and finished 9th at the WTCS Final in Pontevedra which was best WTCS finish of any Spanish woman in 2023.
Anna Godoy Contreras is ranked 51st in the Olympic rankings and may be too far away from earning a third slot for Spain. Nevertheless, she and Marta Pintanel Raymundo remain viable options for the Spanish selectors.
Based on her brilliant 2023 form, though, Juan will be the favourite.
Men
The men’s side is a little more crowded. Among the leading options are Roberto Sanchez Mantecon (20th in the Olympic rankings and a WTCS medallist), Sergio Baxter Cabrera (30th in the Olympic rankings and a World Cup winner) and David Castro Fajardo (35th in the Olympic rankings, the European champion and a World Cup winner).
One of Baxter or Castro will have to make it inside the top-30 of the Olympic rankings to secure the third Spanish slot at the Games. Based on their recent history, this should not be a problem.
Further options appear in the form of World Cup medallists Alberto Gonzalez Garcia, Genis Grau and David Cantero del Campo. The triple world champion Mola could likewise be a long shot to make the team.
A 10th place at the Paris Test Event means that Sanchez is in with a very strong chance of making the team. He proved himself a capable performer on the Olympic course and has a good WTCS track record.
Baxter also finished 15th in Paris. Prior to that, he finished 15th at the 2022 WTCS Final in his first season in the Series. He has therefore shown an ability to step up at bigger races in his nascent career. Moreover, Baxter hit a WTCS personal best of 13th in Sunderland last summer, indicating that he may be the growth prospect.
Castro has a best WTCS result of 5th from Cagliari in 2022. However, his WTCS form has not quite clicked since then.
Based on their Paris results and general WTCS form, then, Sanchez and Baxter can probably be called the likeliest candidates to take the final two places on the Spanish Olympic team at this stage.
