Joan Munar Martinez

Started: He took up athletics in 2010 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. (Athlete, 17 Jul 2017) Reason: His eye condition meant he had to give up playing football. He was told athletics would be a good fit for him because he was fast and it would not take him long to adapt to the sport. (Athlete, 17 Jul 2017; marca.com, 12 Jun 2014) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (Instagram profile, 14 Jul 2023) Awards: In 2023 he received the Silver Medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit from the government of Spain. (fedc.es, 23 Jun 2023) In 2017 the athletics track of Magaluf in Mallorca, Spain, was renamed after him. (micaaltv.jimdo.com, 07 Apr 2017) He was named the 2014 Athlete of the Year in Calvia, Spain. (X profile, 28 Mar 2015) Additional Info: NEW EVENT He began training for long jump at the start of 2023, and won a bronze medal in the event five months later at the 2023 World Championships in Paris, France. "I assure you that it has been largely possible because of my coaches, the medical staff, my family, and my partner. They never fail. I am happy to continue in this sport and excited about the season to come in which we will work daily to return to this capital in August 2024 [for the 2024 Paralympic Games]. (ib3.org, 18 Jul 2023; Instagram profile, 14 Jul 2023; diariodemallorca.es, 10 Jul 2023)