Source: Iberia
- The airline is supporting 14 Olympic and Paralympic athletes from around ten different disciplines on their journey to the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
- Joining the Iberia Team are top athletes such as María Pérez, one of Spain’s most decorated athletes at Paris 2024 with a gold and a silver medal, and Bea Ortiz, gold medalist and world’s best water polo player in 2024, among others.
- Pau Gasol joined the athletes at Espacio Iberia Madrid and wished them luck as they prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
As part of its Talento a Bordo initiative, Iberia is renewing its support in 2025 for a team of 14 Olympic and Paralympic athletes, aiming to accompany them on their path to the Los Angeles 2028 Games. The Iberia Team includes four new members who stood out at the recent Paris 2024 Games: María Pérez (athletics), double medalist (gold and silver); Sara Andrés (para-athletics), finalist; Alfonso Cabello (para-cycling), double medalist (silver and bronze); and Bea Ortiz (water polo), gold medalist and world’s best player in 2024.
These athletes join nine others who were already part of the Iberia Talento a Bordo Team: Adriana Cerezo(taekwondo), Rodrigo Conde (rowing), Marcus Cooper (canoeing), Gerard Descarrega (para-athletics), Sarai Gascón (para-swimming), Hugo González de Oliveira (swimming), Antía Jácome (rowing), Silvia Mas (sailing), Niko Shera (judo), and Ray Zapata (gymnastics).
Alfonso Cabello, one of the new additions, said he is “super happy” to join the Iberia Talento a Bordo Team. “I’m blown away. Being here with these champions is a dream come true. I’m really excited about reaching Los Angeles.” Water polo player Bea Ortiz, also a recent addition, thanked Iberia for its support and said it is “an honor to share this journey with such great athletes.” “It gives us great peace of mind that a company like Iberia believes in our dreams,” said canoeist Rodrigo Conde. He shares his discipline with Antía Jácome, who emphasized how important the Talento a Bordo support is: “We come from minority sports, and Iberia’s support gives us a cushion to give 100% every day.” Marcus Cooper, former flag bearer of the Spanish delegation in Paris, celebrated that “we share values with Iberia, and this company helps us fly high.”
Iberia will support the team members with a grant and airline travel over the four-year Olympic cycle leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Additionally, all 14 athletes will benefit from the perks of the Iberia Plus Gold card for their travels.
Iberia presented its new team at Espacio Iberia, the pop-up space where the airline is showcasing the onboard innovations available to customers. The athletes were joined by Juan Cierco, Iberia’s Corporate Director, and Pau Gasol, Iberia’s cultural change ambassador.
“It’s an amazing team of great athletes. Your sports may not get much media attention, but your passion is incredibly admirable,”said the former basketball player and one of the most decorated athletes in Spanish sports history. Gasol also has a daily presence at Espacio Iberia Madrid with the shoes he wore to win EuroBasket 2015. Juan Cierco highlighted the airline’s commitment to Spanish sports and said, “It’s an honor to support this magnificent group of athletes, and I’m sure they’ll take Spain to the top at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.”