Olympic badminton champion Carolina Marín gathered hundreds of people last Saturday at the Marina Hub in Arrecife, as part of the Lanzarote Summer University. The athlete from Huelva spoke about her retirement, injuries, and the affection she received.
The hall of the Marina Hub in Arrecife was too small last Saturday to accommodate Carolina Marín's conference, organised by the Lanzarote Summer University. The Olympic badminton champion, Princess of Asturias Award winner, reflected on the toughest moments of her career and delivered a direct message to young athletes: avoid comparisons.
A message against comparisons
Carolina Marín was emphatic when referring to the pressure children face in grassroots sports. "For me, comparisons are negative. When a coach tells a girl, ‘You have to be like Carolina Marín’... No, there is only one Carolina Marín, just as there is only one Pau Gasol or one Rafa Nadal," she stated. The athlete insisted that youngsters must "forge their own path" and not try to imitate anyone.
The athlete, who retired prematurely due to injuries, confessed that she did not achieve her second great Olympic dream, but that "I achieved something better: a medal in the form of affection, support, and love from all the people."
"And I didn’t leave with a gold medal, but I left with a medal that I keep in my heart and that no one can take away from me", she noted emotionally.
The strategy to overcome Asia
The champion also revealed the key to her success against the Asian powers that dominate world badminton. "If we had followed the same path as the Asians, we would always have been behind. We took another path to overtake them and challenge things they dominated," she explained. A strategy that enabled her to become the best player in the history of European badminton.
The conference was part of an edition of the Lanzarote Summer University focused on sports tourism, a key sector for the island. Attendees, mostly residents of Arrecife and tourists, were able to hear firsthand experiences from one of Spain's most decorated athletes.
The impact on Lanzarote
Carolina Marín's presence on the island not only filled the venue but also reinforced Lanzarote's commitment to sports tourism as an economic driver. According to the organisers, the event served to promote the island as a destination for top-level sporting events. Attendees highlighted the champion's approachability and her ability to connect with the audience.
The Lanzarote Summer University continues its programme with new activities. The next event will be a round table on sports and sustainability, on July 20 at the same venue.
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