The island is the stage for training and qualifying events for the Olympics
Lanzarote doesn’t only stand out for its spectacular natural beauty – it has also established itself as the epicentre of talent and as a sporting venue for various disciplines in the qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The island has witnessed the worldwide success of its local athletes as they win their ticket to Paris, while simultaneously hosting international competitions of great importance.
These events not only offer athletes the chance to qualify for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but also highlight Lanzarote as a top-level sports tourism destination, ideal for hosting international events that attract elite competitors from all over the world.
Lionel Morales: Paratriathlon world champion and pride of Lanzarote
The island is also the perfect venue for the paratriathlon, with a temperate climate and routes that combine coastal areas and more rugged terrain. This creates a complete challenge in terms of both stamina and technical ability, ideal for high-level competitions.
In this discipline Lanzarote’s very own Lionel Morales is an outstanding athlete. Morales has confirmed his participation in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games after winning the World Triathlon Para Championships in Malaga.
His extraordinary performance has not only earned him the world title, but also the recognition and congratulations of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, presided over by Oswaldo Betancort, who celebrated the classification of this courageous athlete for the next Olympic event. Lionel Morales has stated on several occasions that Lanzarote is a paradise for adapted sports.
Ray Zapata: a gymnast with roots in Lanzarote
Ray Zapata, another source of pride and joy for Lanzarote, has established himself as one of the most outstanding figures in Spanish artistic gymnastics after his dazzling performance in the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Although his achievement might have been even greater, his silver medal has placed this young man raised on the island as one of the best gymnasts in the world.
In that thrilling final in Tokyo, Zapata shared the score of 14.933 with Israel’s Artiom Dolgopyat. The difference that decided the gold medal in Dolgopyat’s favour was his higher difficulty coefficient, a detail that Zapata considers “unfair”. “The fair thing would have been to award two gold medals, one for each of us, but I am very happy with my Olympic medal”, confesses the Lanzarote athlete.
The silver medal represents not only the pinnacle of his career so far, but also the recognition of a lifetime of dedication to gymnastics in Spain, a journey that began at the age of eleven and has given him, at twenty-eight, a memorable reward. Despite the initial difficulties he experienced in Lanzarote after his arrival from the Dominican Republic, Ray discovered his great passion for gymnastics and has pursued his dream ceaselessly ever since.
Lanzarote’s commitment to elite sport is also reflected in the Spanish athletes who have competed in local tournaments with the aim of qualifying for Paris 2024. These athletes have faced every challenge with determination in their fight for their place in the national Olympic team.
Lanzarote: backdrop to the iQFOiL, Olympic Windsurfing event
The iQFOiL World Championship has had a significant impact on Lanzarote, both in sporting and reputational terms. This event has reconfirmed the positioning of the island as a perfect training destination for competitors from all over the world.
The island, known for its ideal weather conditions for windsurfing, has become a key gathering place for athletes looking to train and compete in this new Olympic sport. In the lead up to the Paris Olympics, iQFOiL has revolutionised the Olympic windsurfing scene, introducing a completely new dynamic to the sport.
Replacing the previous RS:X, the iQFOiL has been designed to offer faster and more exciting competitions, optimising sailing conditions and making windsurfing an even more spectacular and accessible discipline for water sports enthusiasts.
The Different Island, venue for Olympic competitions and training sessions
The choice of Lanzarote as a venue for Olympic events is no coincidence, given that it offers perfect environmental and geographical conditions for windsurfing, sailing, triathlon and other disciplines at international level. Here are some of the reasons why Lanzarote stands out from many other destinations:
- Optimal wind conditions: Lanzarote is known for its strong, constant trade winds, which blow all year round. These winds are not only predictable, but are also ideal for water and endurance sports, offering the intensity and constancy needed for competitions at this level.
- Water quality and geography: Lanzarote’s clear waters, wide beaches and natural pools provide a safe and uncluttered environment for training and tournaments. The island has several beaches and harbours that are perfectly suited to sailing events, offering plenty of space for equipment set-up and recovery, as well as for the competition itself.
- Experience in sporting events: Lanzarote has a long tradition of hosting international sporting events, not only in sailing but also in triathlons, marathons, and other water and endurance sports. This experience has created the infrastructure and developed the local knowledge that is fundamental for the organisation of large-scale events.
- Institutional support: the region and its local authorities, including the Cabildo de Lanzarote and other tourism and sports entities, are very committed to promoting sport as a tourism and cultural asset. There is strong institutional support for events that promote sports tourism, and this facilitates the organisation and execution of international competitions.
- Tourist attractions: the natural beauty of the island and its year-round pleasant climate also attract competitors and spectators, turning sporting events in Lanzarote into unique and truly enjoyable experiences.
With the countdown to the 2024 Olympic Games underway, Lanzarote is positioning itself not only as a sporting venue for pre-Olympic events, but as a true melting pot of sporting talent and passion.
