Spain has secured its first gold medal in athletics at the Paris Olympics on day 12 of the competition. María Pérez and Álvaro Martín emerged victorious in the marathon mixed relay race walk, becoming the event's inaugural champions. Pérez's impressive performance led the Spanish duo to a commanding victory, finishing 51 seconds ahead of their closest competitors.
In a display of strength and endurance, Pérez widened the gap between herself and Ecuadorian rival Glenda Morejón in the final stages of the race, crossing the finish line with a remarkable time of 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 31 seconds. Morejón, alongside her partner Brian Pintado, claimed the silver medal, with Pintado making history as the first Ecuadorian athlete to win two medals at the same Games, having previously secured gold in the men's 20km race walk.
The Australian pair of Rhydian Cowley and Jemima Montag put up a strong performance to clinch the bronze medal, completing the race in 2 hours, 51 minutes, and 38 seconds. This achievement adds to the diversity of medal winners in the marathon mixed relay race walk event, showcasing the global talent and competitive spirit present at the Paris Olympics.
Prior to this victory, Spain had already made its mark in the sailing competition, claiming its first gold medal in the skiff event. The success of Pérez and Martín further solidifies Spain's presence on the Olympic podium and highlights the country's prowess in various sporting disciplines.
