The medals arrived on the last day, like a delayed prize, but well deserved after so many good performances. Like a merit earned after so many records, like a debt paid off, like a right acquired after so many relevant performances. One silver and one bronze. Silver for Hugo González in the 200 medley and bronze for Laura Cabanes in the 200 butterfly.
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There was no gold, the metal that establishes the true hierarchies. And that is a thorn in the heart of Spanish swimming. But, after the drought of medals in the elusive moisture of the waters, they feel very good for being agonizingly late, almost posthumous.
Hugo was already the 200 medley champion in Budapest 2021 and, in short course, last year in Dublin. He would have earned the gold again if Hubert Kos had not existed in a very high-level event, on a global scale. Hugo only gave in in the last 10 meters, in which the Hungarian held him off with a time (1:54.24) that took the Championship record from the Spaniard and placed its holder in fourth place historically. Hugo was superior to himself. He placed, with 1:54.44, in sixth place in that history and broke the Spanish record. He defends his European title from Budapest 2021. He is the same while being better. He is better while being the same.
Laura Cabanes is not, at least not yet, at 20 years old, Mireia Belmonte. But she reminded us of her. She helped us remember her. Mireia was the Olympic champion of those 200 butterfly in Rio 2016. And world champion in Budapest 2017. And European in Berlin 2014. She fought until the end and only bowed her head (2:07.21) before the British Keanna McInes (2:05.90) and the Danish Helena Bach (2:06.14). Laura is not Mireia, at least not yet, we say. But, although her bronze crown is not as valuable as Mireia’s gold ones, in some way she receives with it a form of inheritance.