Daniel Molina wins gold in his first triathlon at the Paralympic Games, giving Spain its 16th medal

With rage, screaming and raising to the sky Paris a flag of Spain. Daniel Molina made his Paralympic triathlon debut and gave the Spanish delegation its fourth gold medal in these events. Games from Paris. He did so by offering an exhibition, especially in the final straight, putting the finishing touch to an impeccable career.

And the 50-year-old from Madrid only had one medal left at the Games to close an impeccable career. Five-time world champion and seven-time European champion. Now also champion in some Paralympic Games. Flawless.

It was a Molina recital. He had always dreamed of it and he lived his last meters in homage to himself. I approach the final straight with my arms raised, cheered by the entire audience present at the foot of the Alexander III Bridge. He gave kisses and stopped a few meters from the finish line to pick up a Spanish flag. It was too much. He looks at the sky, raises the flag towards the Parisian sky and celebrates the title with rage.

Daniel Molina is a born winner and he proved it again in the French capital. He dominated the first part of the race, crossing the waters of the Seine in first place, but was relegated to third after 20 kilometres on the bike. He had gold 51 seconds away and 5,000 metres ahead of him as he ran to attempt an epic comeback.

And he did it brilliantly. He got off the bike, cheered on by the Spanish fans, and started running with his prosthetic right leg – he’s had it since he was 19 after a road accident. He poured water over his head and set off in terror to look for the Dutchman. Nico van der Burgt and in German Max Gelhaar. It didn’t take long, he ate them in the blink of an eye.

In 1.5 kilometers he reduced all the disadvantage and took the lead alone until the end of the race. Without consideration, maintaining a constant pace and gradually approaching the goal. The dream came true. He was proclaimed Paralympic champion.