With you, Barcelona!

Spanish swimmer forfeits World Championship to pay homage to Barcelona attack victims.

Fernando Alvarez has suddenly become the talking point for his noble gesture.

For a general follower of swimming, Fernando Alvarez may sound an unfamiliar name. But the 71-year-old Spanish swimmer has suddenly become the talking point for his noble gesture.

Participating in the FINA World Masters Championships in Budapest, the swimmer gave up his chance of glory and decided to pay tribute to the victims of Barcelona and Cambrils terror attacks.

 

The swimmer had reportedly requested for an official minute’s silence to pay homage to the victims, but it was turned down by the organisers.

So, he went on his own.

He remained on the starting block after the buzzer sounded for the start of his 200-metre breaststroke heat in the Hungary capital on Saturday. He stood on the block for a minute before diving in.

FINA recorded him as finishing the event with “no time” on its official website. “It’s something that has affected us all, but maybe because of the distance and because I have family there,” he told the El Español .