JAIME CANALEJO, 1991, SPAIN

Silver medal at the 1st World Rowing Cup 2023, silver medal at the World Rowing Championships 2022.

Bronze medal at the European Rowing Championships 2022 and 2023

What is the main trait of your character?

Perseverance and resilience in difficult times.

Has it influenced your sports career?

100%! Rowing is a sport of many years and it takes a lot of perseverance to achieve your dreams.

What virtue do you wish you had?

To be a little more energetic in order to face the training sessions better. It's hard for me to start training every day.

A fun fact about you.

I can't think of any.

Do you have a motto for life?

Fight and work hard for your dreams, because someday they will come true.

Your second favorite sport.

Soccer.

Three athletes you admire.

Rafael Nadal, Matthew Pinsent, Leo Messi.

What is the sporting milestone you remember most?

Olympic qualification in 2019, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. It was something I dreamed of since I was a child.

How did you become a fan of your sport?

It was by chance. My parents wanted me to do some sport and when I was 8 years old my brother and I joined a club in Seville, which is the city where I live. Here there is a lot of tradition for rowing and from the first day I loved it!

Who helped you the most to achieve your sports dream?

My family is the one that has always supported me since I was a child and has given me all the facilities to get to the top.

Your greatest achievement?

Silver at the 2022 World Championships. It was incredible to live that moment.

And your worst failure?

In 2015 we placed 12th at the world championships in the 4- after having an incredible year. It was a very hard blow to be just one spot away from qualifying for the Olympics.

What has the sport taught you for life?

Teamwork, the hardness of things to achieve them and that, with a lot of dedication and passion, everything is possible.

How would you like fans to remember you?

As a good person and a good sportsman.

What is the biggest challenge in your sport?

I think technique. It is one of the most complex challenges in rowing. You can always do something a little bit better and looking for perfection is practically impossible.

What is the most important aspect of any training?

I think it's about getting 100% out of that day. There are bad days and good days, but they all have to add up and be taken advantage of and I think that's very important.

Do you have any rituals or hobbies before a competition?

Nothing special. I listen to music and little else.

What role has your upbringing played in your sports career?

Very important to have something to lean on outside of rowing and to clear your mind.

And what role has sport played in your education?

I believe that sport gives you unique values that you can then reflect in your education.

A tip for the younger ones.

Let them enjoy the sport first. And then let them fight hard for what they want in life, because no one is going to give them anything for free.