Leslie Romero is the first Spaniard to compete in climbing at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. Leslie was born in Venezuela but since a few years ago she lives in Mutxamel and feels like a mutxamelera more. We know a little more about this champion who will represent Spain in the Olympic Games.

Question: First of all, for those who do not know you, who is Leslie Romero?

Answer: I consider myself a determined person, a fighter, resilient. I am 26 years old, I live in Mutxamel, I am a speed climber and currently qualified for the Olympic Games.

Q: Cryptocurrencies, bakery…., tell us a little about your beginnings.

A: In Venezuela, to help my family and keep training I couldn’t have an eight-hour job. I was offered a scholarship to play Axie Infinity. It was a game where I mined cryptocurrencies, where every time I achieved the goal they helped me. Also, I’ve always been very entrepreneurial and even as a child I was making jellies, wafers and that kind of stuff at home. When I grew up I started baking to continue training and also to help my family.

Q: How did you start climbing?

A: I started when I was six years old. My dad took me to rhythmic gymnastics because I was very hyperactive. Gymnastics was no longer at the sports complex where we went and there was a giant climbing wall that I loved. My dad asked me if I wanted to practice climbing and we tried it, I got a week’s trial and so far it’s not over.

Q: And why speed climbing?

A: My references when I started in Venezuela excelled in the speed discipline. I was trained practicing the three modalities, but seeing that I stood out much more in speed and seeing that I am very good at it, I had to take advantage of it.

Q: How does it differ from bouldering and difficult climbing?

A: Speed climbing is a fifteen-meter wall where in the first rounds you go against the clock and eliminate others.

Block or bouldering I would define more as a modality of coordination, strength and something more mathematical. You stand in front and you have four minutes to solve a problem and the one who makes more tops in fewer attempts is the one who wins.

And in the case of difficulty, it’s a 20-meter wall where the main objective is resistance and the one who reaches the highest wins, although time is also important.

Q: You receive a scholarship from the Consejo Superior de Deportes de España and your life changes.

A: Since I arrived in Spain I felt quite happy because I saw the support and the way they opened their doors to me. They offered me grants, which is something that all athletes dream of so that they are not begging for support. This changed my life, not only economically but also in terms of my value as an athlete. For me it is something very valuable. With this scholarship at the Car de San Cugat I no longer have to pay for anything and with the help of my coach I can dedicate myself one hundred percent to climbing and training and be fully focused on my goals.

Q: At the Mutxamel sports gala you were recognized with an award, how important is Mutxamel and Spain in your life?

A: When I arrived in Alicante, my father was in Sant Joan working and when we decided to settle down, we decided that Mutxamel was a nice place to live, quite quiet and a place where my parents felt comfortable and I felt comfortable too.

For me, it was very significant that they called me to tell me that they had me in mind for the Sports Gala for a mention. Although I was born in Venezuela and I feel part of Venezuela, I am grateful when people or countries open their doors to me and give me that value as a person and an athlete. I believe that you come from where you are given the courage to be yourself and to develop yourself. I am very grateful for the opportunity, for the award they gave me and I feel part of Mutxamel, of Alicante and of the Valencian Community and I represent them with all my heart and with all my pride.

Q: If I’m not mistaken, the qualification for this event in the Olympic Games is complicated, you had to wait to know if you were going to Paris or not, how is that moment when you know you are going?

A: In both competitions I did well within my possibilities, but at the limit. In the China Cup I was seventh and in Budapest what I knew was that I had to win the round of 16, but I knew that if I didn’t win I also had a chance to be there. When I did the race and seeing the mark I already imagined myself inside. I had the feeling that I had made it, but I didn’t want to get excited until the end. I had goose bumps thinking that I was in, but I wanted to be told officially. That moment was pretty tense, I think the most tense of the competition. When they told me I was in I cried and I think I’m still not aware of the whole process and everything it means to me, I still have to assimilate it.

Q: The first Spanish climber to compete in the Olympic Games, how does that sound?

A: That’s history, it makes my hair stand on end. Not even in my best dreams could I imagine getting this far. This will go down in history, I can go other times, but I will be the first Spanish woman. Also the first to go under seven seconds. This fills my heart with pride and satisfaction for all the effort that my team and I are making, everything we have done has paid off and we are making history.

Q: Besides going to Paris, gold in this year’s European Cup and last year’s Spanish record, they are all successes?

A: It’s one more competition that gives experience and it’s important to show everything I can give. I went with zero expectations, but I wanted to give one hundred percent of me, this time with a backpack that I took off in Budapest.

Q: To achieve all that, how is your training?

A: Now with the games it will be a bit different because it will be even stricter, looking at the little details that add up to a lot. I do double training sessions about five days a week and about 5 or 6 hours, although in reality, it’s more, because I also train nutrition and rest.

Q: The dream of going to Paris is done, once there, what is the goal?

A: The goal we have is to qualify to the final, which is to be in the top eight. It will be hard, all these girls already have times of 6 seconds in competitions and it will be a tough fight, but I trust in all the work we are going to do from here to Paris also now with 0 expectations, enjoying and giving our best. If everything goes well, we can meet that goal.

TEST OF SHORT QUESTIONS

Q: What do you like most about Spain?

A: Paella

Q: What do you miss most about Venezuela?

A: My friends and family

Q: An adjective that defines you

A: Determined

Q: A sport besides climbing

A: I am very into climbing. It’s not a sport, but I would say playing Nintendo.

Q: Childhood idol?

A: Roberto Carlos

Q: A hobby other than sports

A: Cooking, bakery

Q: A song

A: Cumpliendo el objetivo

Q: A food

A: Cachapa, a typical Venezuelan food. It’s like a corn pancake with cheese.

Q: What would you do if you win a medal?

A: Cry, celebrate and whatever comes out at that moment.