Last update on. From the section OlympicsJesus Angel Garcia, 51 years old has made history by becoming the first person to compete at an Olympic Games athletics event.The big moment for the Spaniard at Tokyo 2020 was Friday's 50km race walk in Sapporo, where he placed 35th.Garcia competed in the 1992 Games in Barcelona, before any of the 100m men's medallists at the Olympics.He won't be returning to Paris 2024, as his event has been dropped.Organisers decided to eliminate the 50km run from the Olympic program because there is no comparable race for women. Women were able to walk over shorter distances during race walking at the Games of 1992 to 2016.Poland's Dawid Tomala won the 50km final event. Evan Dunfee, the bronze medallist, criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decision to cancel the race.Dunfee, from Canada, said that it was a huge mistake made by the IOC as well as World Athletics. "I believe we demonstrated today that this event belongs at the Olympics."Permitting women to race 50k at Olympics would have been the easiest solution." It is heartbreaking.Veteran Garcia decided to retire after the Games had ended and Tokyo 2020 was the right time.Garcia's eight Olympics did not bring him a medal. His best result was the fourth place at Beijing 2008.He has had success at other events, winning gold at the World Championships 1993.Garcia's presence at the Games every year since the 1990s, even without an Olympic medal, is an incredible achievement.Metropoli Abierta, a Spanish-born athlete, told the Spanish news outlet Metropoli Abierta that he was ready for retirement before the Games. He said: "The Olympic Games offer a unique experience and everyone wants to live it."I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to many. "I feel part of something historic."Garcia acknowledged that he has lost out on the Olympic podium many times and his focus has shifted to medals.He said that he was too impulsive when he was younger and that he lacked youth after having experience."Eight games are enough. I want to experience the Olympic magic once again and then retire to a more peaceful, relaxed lifestyle."This means Garcia will not challenge the record for most summer Olympic appearances held by Ian Millar (Canadian showjumper), who appeared at 10 Games from 1972 to 2012.Garcia (right), won silver at 2001 World Athletics Championships, Edmonton, Canada.He knew the Tokyo Games would not be his last so he used the one-year delay to his advantage and earned his coaching qualifications in athletics."I'm already training teenagers, and I feel very comfortable looking to find talents for this sport that has enriched my life so much. CMD Sport will hear his 2020 comments."On the contrary, I will be able resume my career in podiatrist as I have had offers."These aren’t his only strings.Atletico Madrid fan and also the World Athletics Championships record holder (13), was previously a councillor for San Adria de Besos in Barcelona.He is also a coach, politician, and chiropody. His family includes a wife, and two daughters. Garcia will likely keep himself busy in his retirement.
