Going to the United States was the best decision of my life says Spain new 1500m Champion Mario Garcia Romo
Mario Garcia Romo grew up in a small Spanish town of just 75 before coming to the US four years ago to go to college.
"When I was 8 years old," Mario posted on his Instagram account, "I first started running and I used to dream of racing against the best in the biggest stages, the Olympics, World championships, European Championships, Diamond Leagues… slowly I realized it wasn’t going to be an easy path. It was going to take a lot of training, work, patience and dedication.
"But I had one thing clear, in order to be one of the best you have to work among the best. Now I’m proud to say I will be able to work under the support of one of the best brands and training programs in the world, hand by hand with some of the best athletes.
"I’m excited for the next chapter, and ready to show all my potential in the track while making my impact in the sport. Game On."
Mario García Romo summarizes his life, "The difference is not me but my parents."
A humble young man with vanity totally under control. It is the first thing that catches the attention of 23-year-old Mario. "Without my first coach, Lucio Rodríguez, who accompanied me so many times to El Helmántico, I wouldn't be here."
Today, Mario is the 1,500 Spanish champion and will be represting Spain at the World Championships in Eugene.
The last four years he has lived in the United States next to Memphis. There he learned to see life differently. "We focus on what is achieved on the track but not on the stories behind the athletes. Each one's stories give more importance to achievements," he explains.
Above all, he is a village boy.
Yes, and very proud ot it. "I grew up in a town in Salamanca, Villar de Gallimazo, with 75 inhabitants. Living in such a place allowed me to go out on the street at any time. In my class at school there were just four children."
Did that make you different?
"The difference is not me, but my parents. I am the son of a mason and my mother is a cleaner. I've always seen my parents work hard. That has marked me. In fact, my father has taken one company forward without studies and hardly any accounting knowledge. When I was little I sometimes accompanied him and, for me, he was a source of pride."
Then Mario made the big move from a town in Salamanca to the University of Mississippi.
"I have thought about it and my friends have reminded me of it. But it was a thoughtful idea at the time and it arose trying to follow in the footsteps of my brother, who is four years older. He went to do a Master's degree there and when he told me how athletics lived in the United States, I thought, "I also want to go someday."
And it was.
"In the summer I was bored one day. I started looking for the universities, I sent emails and one of the ones that first answered me was that of Mississippi through what is now my coach. I still have the message saved. Often, I read it again. I'm excited. He told me that it was a pleasure and that he wanted to have a call with me. And from there it all began."
What did he tell you after being champion of Spain?
"I was very happy. He was proud of me. I am the first athlete of yours to qualify for a World Cup. We both agree that it is the four-year job. He gave me confidence, "run as you know how to run," and I think I did. With 500 meters to go, he was locked up. But I knew how to measure my strength and attack at the right time."
posted Wednesday July 6th