Disabled Marbella man takes on English Channel

DISABLED Marbella triathlete Javier Merida will swim the English Channel.

The local council held an event to present the swim which he is due to carry out at any time from today (Thursday) until Tuesday, depending on the weather. He will cover 32 kilometres in waters that are around 14ºC.

The local Sports Director, Federico Valles, said that Merida is an “example of work, strength and personal effort” and has the city hall’s full support.

If he makes it, he will be the first disabled athlete from Spain to cross the English Channel. He lost a leg in an accident, but since then has swum the Strait of Gibraltar and competed twice in the Ironman competition.

The event was also attended by the President of the Nueva Alcantara Tennis and Padel Club, Ignacio Saracho, the President of the Jose Banus Foundation, Candido Fernandez, his trainer, Jaime Vigaray and his nutritionist, Rosa Sanchez.