Catalonia's Olympic lineup: Who is competing in Paris 2024?

The most important sporting event of the year, the Olympic Games, officially kicks off on Friday in Paris.

Nearly a hundred Catalan athletes will participate, the highest number in recent years, surpassed only by the 129 Catalans who competed in Barcelona in 1992. 

There were 86 Catalan athletes in London 2012, 90 in Rio 2016, 95 in Tokyo 2021 and 99 in Paris this year. 

For the first time in history, the Catalan delegation will achieve gender parity, with 50 female athletes and 49 male athletes competing. 

The delegation will also be one of the youngest in history, with 63 of the 99 athletes making their Olympic debut. 

Only one athlete has competed in four Games, two have competed in three, and approximately thirty have competed in one or two Games, excluding this year. 

This trend can be attributed to an increase in investment and infrastructure dedicated to developing young talent in the sport.  

Over the past two years, the Catalan government has allocated nearly €28 million to help young athletes reach the highest levels of competition. 

Of the 382 athletes in the Spanish delegation, one in four is Catalan. Catalans are particularly strong in water polo, where 18 of the 26 players are Catalan. 

Catalans also make a significant impact in field hockey, where nearly half of the team members are from Catalonia.  

There is also a significant Catalan presence in swimming and football.