Prologue p.2

Unknown pov

I still can't believe this moment I've been dreaming of all my life is coming true, it feels so unreal.

I feel so overwhelmed that after years of unsuccess, the day has come, I will be making my first appearance in the Olympics.

For me being among the 300+ athletes that represent Spain at the Olympics is a
lifetime opportunity and even feels like a miracle after my rocky road to get here.

This might be my first and my last.

Unlike other top-ranked swimmers, I didn't have as much of an advantage in competitions.

I come from Spain, in a small city called Vellirana near Barcelona.

And my family and I are part of the lower class and we used to be even poorer when I was younger.

My parents had me young, they were only in their early twenties but even if it wasn't the right time financially, growing up my parents always made sure their only son would have a good life and always tried to give me the best I could have.

But as my parents always gave their all for me despite not being able to afford it more often than not made life difficult growing up.

Already before I started dreaming of making it big, I was bullied at school for my status and my parents would work hard to bring food to the table even if they did, sometimes we didn't have food at times but they always made sure to not make it seem that way.

And then one day when I was 7, my grandpa showed me the Olympics. He was cheering for the Football team but once it was the swimming category, I just became so amazed by their speed.

And I remember wanting to be like them someday.

And that day started my journey into swimming.

From the day I had my first swimming class, my parents became my biggest supporters. They did everything they could just to make my dream come true even if they couldn't afford it at times.

In the beginning, I was behind everyone else but with more work and faith, I started being better than everyone else at the age of 9 but I was still nowhere near the level needed for competitions.

Despite not having the results I wanted, I always tried to give my all and it happened multiple times that I was dissatisfied with my results and frustrated at times too.

At times I would cry but despite it all, I always pushed harder. I was determined I could do it
and my parents too.

But when I was 10 a horrible tragedy happened to me, some of my friends found out about my aspirations and beat me severely. I ended up with many bruises and 1 broken wrist.

It nearly ended my career and I feared all chances to go to the Olympics were over. I had to do rehab to get back but as some
sort of miracle, I got back to swimming and was as good as I was before, better even.

After that traumatic event, my parents made me change schools despite not being able to afford it and eventually, I got my first swimming coach once I was back to a competitive level but it didn't work out with the coach.

After failing to give the results he wanted, he no longer wanted to coach me.

Hearing about that, my parents tried their very best to get me a new coach.

After some research they found the perfect one, Mr. Ricardo, however he didn't live in my city, so I would have to move to Barcelona.

So I moved with my grandad at the age of 12 to the center of Barcelona. It was scary but worth it as it brought me one step closer to making my dream come true.

From then on, everything went mostly well for me, my coach Ricardo was nice and supportive and he pushed me to be the best of myself.

Thanks to him I had the opportunity to compete on regional levels, then on the country level and then worldwide level.

It would also be in Barcelona that I would meet my next biggest supporter and my best friend Ian Mendoza. We got along well and when I first dared to tell him about my aspirations, he never judged me and supported me all the way.

He used to come to all the competitions I would be at, he really enjoyed cheering for me.

But even if I was now one of the best in my country as a teenager, my results weren't enough. Most of the time I couldn't make the podium and I simply couldn't beat the time of the best.

It was at the age of 15 that I first met the rising athlete Enzo Buckley at the yearly World Aquatics Championships.

He was so good and unbeatable. I lost a bit of hope especially when he made it to the Olympics and I still couldn't come anywhere close to his results when I competed against him in the same swimming events.

But I didn't let that get the best of me, I worked harder instead and when it came time for the 2016 Johannesburg Olympics, I had a legitimate chance of qualifying but the problem was that I had to compete against Enzo Buckley.

And it did pose a problem, I didn't qualify as I finished 6th in my best swimming event and he finished 1st.

After coming so close to achieving my dream and failing, I became depressed and I was no longer sure if I wanted to try once more.

I was a bit in a slum for the months after and worrying about me, my parents reminded me of everything they've done for me and that I shouldn't let one time determine my potential. I couldn't simply just give up. My coach agreed with that too and so did my friend, they all believed I could try it for the 2020 Olympics.

And the next year, I slowly started picking up pro swimming again but I still wasn't sure. Worried about me my parents convinced me to go to therapy and I'm glad they did.

Therapy and working on myself boosted my self-esteem and before I knew it I was back to training for the next Olympics.

And those past few years I worked harder and during that time, to boost my chances I had the chance to train with partners for the relay and did help as one of them had Olympic experience. It really inspired hope for me.

And when the opportunity presented itself once again two months ago, I tried my very best and to my utmost surprise, I barely managed to qualify at the Olympic trials and even better in 3 events, including the 4x100 m relay.

And all of that was against Enzo Buckley and his American teammates, although they managed to finish first in almost everything.

Hence, this means that I would be making my first appearance at the Olympics at the age of 23 for the 2020 Washington Olympics and I already can't wait to represent my country and make my Spanish country and family proud.

And to make it even better, today is the day I'm
set to leave for the Olympic Village in Washington for two weeks.

And right now, I'm saying my last goodbyes to my family and friends at the airport but to my surprise, Ian will be coming to Washington too to cheer for me live but he's only leaving on the 31st of July, the day it's set to start. I really wasn't expecting that, he's way too nice.

I wish my family could come but unfortunately, they can't but it's understandable.

"Oh hijo, I'll miss you. I really hope it will go well for you." My mom says all emotional and I smile.

"I promise I will make you proud Mom." I smile.

"I can't believe this day has come, seeing my grown boy making his dream come true, your mother and I couldn't be more proud of you." My dad says and I feel water threatening to fall from my eyes.

"Oh, stop it, you're going to make me cry," I say a bit emotional and my parents smile softly.

Then we hear our flight number.

"Well, that's my cue to leave," I say feeling nervous all of a sudden.

"Good luck at the games! I swear I'll be the loudest out there when I'll get there!" My friend Ian yells earning him stares.

Everyone says their goodbyes and then I leave alongside my coach.

Before boarding, I check my plane number.

A20, Enrique Martinez.

Right, that's my name.

After checking in all our luggage, my coach and I head on the plane and after 20-30 minutes or so the plane starts to go up.

This is it, the time has come, I'm heading to my first games!

I really wonder how things will turn out for me, hopefully, it'll be memorable forever...