Garcia Reflects on Her Important Role as Athlete Representative at European Aquatics Championships

This year marked the first time the European Aquatics Championships featured selected members of the European Aquatics (EA) Athletes Committee working directly with participating athletes. Among them was Spain’s strong swimmer, Jessica Vall Garcia, who served as an athlete representative throughout the Championships.

A New Era for Athlete Representation

Garcia described her new position as “really important,” emphasizing that athlete voices are vital in shaping the direction and atmosphere of major sporting events. Her mission focused on building a closer connection between EA officials, athletes, and organizing committees to ensure that competitors’ needs are understood and respected.

“It’s not only about being present; it’s about actively listening,” Garcia explained. “We want athletes to feel supported, not only in the pool but in everything surrounding competition.”

The initiative aims to create an environment where feedback from the athlete community directly informs future improvements at Championship events.

Building a Bridge Between Athletes and Organizers

Garcia spoke about the satisfaction of seeing dialogues open between teams and event officials, particularly regarding topics such as scheduling, recovery facilities, and athlete welfare. Serving in this intermediary role helped identify small but important ways to improve daily competition experiences.

According to her, the impact became visible as athletes recognized the committee’s presence and approached them with comments and ideas. This collaborative spirit contributed to a more positive and professional atmosphere throughout the Championships.

Looking Forward

Garcia hopes the athlete representative initiative continues to develop in future editions of the European Aquatics Championships. She believes that empowering athletes to contribute to decision-making processes is essential for the sport’s continued growth and integrity.

“We compete for excellence, but we also share a responsibility to make this sport stronger together,” she said.

Author Summary

Garcia highlights the growing influence of athlete representatives in European Aquatics, focusing on communication, welfare, and long-term improvement of competitive events.

European Aquatics — 2025-11-23