Carles Castillejo, the Spanish athlete who has been present in the last 4 Olympics

In school, his teacher encouraged him to participate in school competitions. "I liked the atmosphere, I liked getting to know children from other schools, and little by little I started running." So, years later in 1988, Carles Castillejo would start being part of his city's club: Rubí (Barcelona). However, it was not until after finishing his university studies that he decided to make a professional career out of this sport, "that was in 2003 and the bet could not have been more right."

The athlete has been present in 4 Olympic Games, since Athens 2004 he has not missed any of the most important events in world athletics. "The best thing about being an Olympian is that you are already part of the history of your sport and your country." And although these competitions have filled him with pride, the race that Castillejo remembers with the greatest satisfaction is the one he ran in the 2012 Granollers Half Marathon, where he beat the world marathon record holder, Patrick Makau.

HARD TIMESThere were moments when he was about to distance himself from this sport. After an operation on his Achilles' heel, Carles couldn't run without avoiding the great pain it caused him. But that didn't limit him, he looked for alternatives to find the solution and finally he could keep running. The athlete is aware of the power of the mind and that without it nothing is possible. "The mind is the boss and we have to teach it that we have no limits, that those limits that we believe we have are false and that we are going to show it."

OVERCOMING AND PERSEVERANCETo reach this level in his life, the Spanish athlete has had to maintain a very disciplined work, as in some way he has become his own boss. "I impose a work schedule at 9:30 am, and I don't question it. I train and that's it, it's like signing in at a company." It's about dedication, commitment, and doing something that he truly enjoys. When he runs, says Carles, he feels free, happy, because running transmits peace to him. "I've been running for almost 30 years (and I'm 39) and the day I don't feel that anymore, I'll stop running..."

Carles Castillejo is considered the best Spanish athlete of the last decade. He is a champion of Spain in 5000m, 10000m, cross country, half marathon, and marathon. Currently, his goal is to participate in the 10k San Silvestre competition in Barcelona and then go after a half marathon.

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Carles Castillejo, the Spanish athlete who has been present in the last 4 Olympics

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