Eric and Miranda have a date with history
The Olympic Games cannot be compared to any other event, it is an occasion completely different from any other. That is why, whenever it is held, we always find stories of athletes overcoming hardships, records being broken and sportsmen and women who end up becoming legends.
In Paris 2024, Eric García and Juan Miranda will make history. After their laudable silver medal in Tokyo, they will become the first Spanish footballers, since the U-23 category was introduced in the Football Tournament, to take part in two Olympic Games. ‘It's a source of pride. When Santi called me I didn't hesitate, I wanted to come. The first time I loved it, it was something different and unique,’ says Miranda, who has fond memories of Tokyo 2020 despite the Covid-19 restrictions: ’Being in the Olympic Village and being able to eat sitting next to the idols you see on TV is incredible.
These are players who have known what it means to win with Spain from a very young age. In Eric's case, he has reached the stars with the national team coached by Santi Denia: ‘Since we were in the U16s, we have been European U17, U19 and World Cup runners-up. We know each other very well, he is a coach who has influenced me a lot since I was a child and to be able to be here with him is something very nice’.
With an Olympic medal already under their belts, Eric and Miranda are dreaming big when it comes to Paris 2024 and are very clear about their objectives. ‘The gold medal. We still have unfinished business from Tokyo. Winning a medal is always a good thing, but if it's a gold medal it's even better,’ says Eric García. The two hope to become the only Spanish footballers in history to win two Olympic medals.
