Barcelona locals against America's Cup criticize former mayor for fostering 'elitist' competition

A group of Barcelona residents against the America's Cup sailing competition have criticized the former mayor, Ada Colau, for fostering the "elitist" competition as she was the city's leader when the host city of the championship was announced.

"The moment to coherently take a position was back then when she was the mayor, and it was down to her to decide if America's Cup was going to be held in Barcelona or not," a statement shared by plataforma No a la Copa Amèrica reads.

"No one can erase" the photo were Colau is seen with the 'The Mug,' the trophy of the competition' beside America's Cup CEO Grant Dalton, the then president Pere Aragonès, the then labor and business minister Roger Torrent, the former Port de Barcelona president, Damià Calvet, and at the time first deputy mayor and current Barcelona mayor, Jaume Collboni.

It was back then when it was required to "fully verify" the official audience and visitor figures shared by organizers and "not accepting them without questioning any of the reports brought in by promoters," the text continues in response to Colau's recent comments on the veracity of the numbers shared before the event started.

"From the first moment, the city council was fully aware that it was an elitist competition with no interest nor tradition for the city," No a la Copa Amèrica writes.

"They were fully aware that Louis Vuitton promoted it and that previous editions in Valencia or New Zealand had left a huge financial debt in the city," the text adds.

On Friday, Barcelona en Comú, the party led by former mayor Ada Colau, requested an external report to "review" the economic impact figures shared by organizers of America's Cup during a city council vote. The demand was rejected as only Barcelona en Comú voted favorably, and Esquerra Republicana abstained.

"We will continue fighting to have a city where locals are first, and not made for lobbies," the text concludes before adding that there will be a new protest on October 13 to ensure the sailing competition "does not return to the city."

This comes as some competitors in the America's Cup have not ruled out hosting the next edition in the Catalan capital, and a few weeks after a protest held at Barcelona's beach.

America's Cup opening ceremony

The sailing competition is currently underway as both Ineos Britannia and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli face each other to win the Louis Vuitton America's Cup.

Their victory, the first to reach 7 wins, will classify the team to challenge Emirates Team New Zealand to win 'The Match,' and take home 'The Mug.'

The first races between the defender and the challenger will start on October 12, but two days before, on October 10, there will be an opening ceremony at the Bogatell beach.

Drones, light shows, and music will be part of the 'Lighthouse to the World' event that will be free to watch and feature the Torre Glòries and the unfinished basilica of Sagrada Família.