Spanish swimmer stands alone in tribute to Barcelona attack victims

Fernando Álvarez paid his own, powerful tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks in Catalonia, during the World Masters Swimming in Budapest.

Fernando Álvarez stands alone in tribute

The Spanish swimmer asked the International Swimming Federation (FINA) for a one minute silence ahead of his race. His request was denied, yet Álvarez decided to stand alone on the block, and observe a minute of silence as the 200 metre breast stroke unfolded beneath him.

In Spanish football, a minute of silence has preceded every LaLiga match this weekend. 

Minute silence 'would have been a nice gesture'

The Cádiz-based swimmer explained his decision to El Español:

“I started a minute after. But that doesn’t matter. What I was feeling was more than if I had won all of the gold medals in the world,” he said, “It’s something that has affected all of us, but maybe because of the distance and because I have family there, well… it would have been a nice gesture.”