Andrea Fuentes Fache

Nickname

Andrew. (Athlete, 26 Feb 2000)

Occupation

Athlete, Student

Education

Sociology - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona [UAB], Barcelona, ESP

Language(s) spoken

Spanish

Club name

Club Natacio Kallipolis, Barcelona, ESP

Coach

Anna Tarres (ESP) (europapress.es, 05 May 2012)

Other sports

Her sister Tina is also a synchronized swimmer. (andreafuentes.es, 14 Jul 2011)

Injuries

She almost died the day she was born, as she had the umbilical cord tied around her neck. "That's the day I started practising apnea" she jokes. (andreafuente.es, 14 Jul 2011)

Additional information

Start of sporting career
Started the sport at age nine in Spain. (Athlete, 26 Feb 2000)

Reason for taking up this sport
She practised a lot of sports as a kid such as skating or gymnastics. When she was nine, Anna Tarres, now Spanish National Team coach, back then CN Kallipolis coach, showed the class a video about the sport and she joined. (andreafuentes.es, 14 Jul 2011)

Ambitions
To win a medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. (rtve.es, 12 Mar 2012)

To become a good coach and be in Cirque De Soleil. (Athlete, 26 Feb 2000)

Training
She says their training does not include any magical diet: "There are no secrets, keep a healthy and balanced nutrition. Well, if anything, stay away from fast food". Daily training starts at 8:30am and includes weights, ballet, water sessions, flamenco dance, pilates, stretching and lasts eight to 10 hours a day. "Everybody makes fun of us, because we train a thousand hours a day" jokes Andrea. Sunday is their day off. (andreafuentes.es, 14 Jul 2011; youtube.com, 14 Jul 2011; Canal+, 01 Apr 2011 )

Hero
Spanish synchronized swimmer Gemma Mengual and the members of Cirque de Soleil. (rtve.es, 12 Mar 2012; Athlete, 26 Feb 2000)

Superstitions / Rituals
"My cat gives me good luck." (Athlete, 26 Feb 2000)

She started practising meditation and visualization to help her compete better, now that she mastered the technique, right before her turn in the water, she lies down for five minutes, stretches and visualizes the routine she has to do. It helps her relax and focus. (andreafuentes.es, 14 Jul 2011)

Sporting philosophy / motto
Asked about the sacrifices of synchronized swimming, and if it's worth it, she replies: "You are always asking yourself if this is the right path to be happy and contribute to the world, which is basically what we are here for. My mission is to provide art and emotion. The day I can't give that, I'm leaving. Sometimes, when you are mentally tired, you ask yourself, what am I doing here? But life is not a walk in the park, fighting and struggling is also beautiful. This is my path and quitting is not an option" (elperiodico.com, 10 Aug 2010)

General
TUTOR
In the renovation of the national team, after the retirement of some of the components, like famous star Gemma Mengual, she assumed the role of embracing the new swimmers "Along with Thais [Henriquez] we try to play a bigger role. Together we try to teach the rookies, but after all, they are all great and you end up learning from them as well" (elperiodico.com, 10 Aug 2010)

Previous Olympics

Beijing 2008, Athens 2004