I practiced athletics for 6 years in the local team in my village, in Spain. I didn´t know I liked running, in fact, I took part in the swimming team until I realized of that.
I decided to sign up in the team when I was 12, but I didn´t know I will find one of my best friends in there. I will introduce you to my friend Raquel. She is my neighbor and I know her since we are children. But we just played before take part in the same team of athletics. When she became a member of the club, it joined us a lot. We trained together, we went out together, we traveled to the races together… we were partners but also friends. In addition, we were with another two friends, Saray and Vanessa, and we made a very good team in which we support each other’s. In fact, I went with them to my first national competition. If I had been alone, I would never have achieved it, for sure.
We are still friends and I really appreciate the athletics gave this to me, especially about Raquel, who is one of my best friends and I feel that our relationship will be forever.
This story is just my own experience, but there is many stories of connection through sports. I believe in the power of sports to connect and to join people, and I think it is one of the best opportunities to know people similar to you, who probably will became in your friends for a long time.
Diana Martínez Rincón