Jose Luis Garcia Serrano

Started: He took up the sport in 2013 at Buitrago del Lozoya, Spain. (patrocinaundeportista.com, 25 Aug 2020; marca.com, 29 Jun 2020) Reason: "Sports had always been part of my life. I coached a futsal team, played paddle tennis, did fun runs and played football. Then, when I lost my sight, I knew there were many ways to do sports without being able to see but, in 2011, I went to the triathlon in my town Buitrago de Lozoya and I then knew that was my sport." (marca.com, 29 Jun 2020) Ambition: To win a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (elmundo.es, 05 Feb 2024) Additional Info: GUIDE He competes alongside Spanish triathlete Diego Mentrida, who became his guide in December 2022. Mentrida made headlines in 2020 when he let British triathlete James Teagle pass him in the final metres of the 2020 Santander Triathlon after Teagle had missed the finish chute on the competition course. Garcia and Mentrida had initially met at the Ecosport Alcobendas club in Spain in 2014. "I am lucky to have known him for quite some time and I knew he was a good bet. As a person he is an extraordinary guy. If I had to say how I want my son to be 25 years from now, I'd say like Diego Mentrida. He knows about triathlon but also about life. I know that alongside him the road ahead will be worth travelling." (elmundo.es, 05 Feb 2024, 18 Sep 2020) OCCUPATION He has worked as a motivational speaker, giving talks to businesses in different parts of the world. He is also a freelance physiotherapist. (LinkedIn profile, 15 Jun 2020)