He stood among the era’s celebrated athletes. The Virtus European Summer Games brought together swimmers from across Europe every two years, spanning six sports disciplines. From the aquatic club, Miguel Angel Valiente delivered unparalleled performances in a fiercely competitive field. The adapted swimmer carried the Spanish flag at the opening ceremony and returned with eight podium finishes, three world records, and two national records to his name.
Miguel Ángel emerged as the tournament champion by contributing to the final trio of events, where the Spanish squad shattered world records in the men’s 4×200 freestyle relay, the 4×100 medley relay, the men’s 4×50 medley, the men’s 4×100 medley, and the men’s 4×100 freestyle. He earned silver in the 200 freestyle, silver in the 4×50 relay, and bronze in the 100 freestyle. He also placed fourth in the 50 free and fifth in the 400 free. Additionally, he set Spanish records in the 100 and 50 freestyle events. All told, his efforts helped Spain secure the top position in the championships.
Those results, along with strong performances at the most recent Spanish adapted swimming championships held in Oviedo, where he claimed four national titles and one runner-up finish, left Alicante unbeaten at season’s end.
The story begins in Peter, where the native began swimming at the Excursionista Eldense club at age three. He later joined the senior ranks at 21, after exploring taekwondo with Club Judela de Elda and triathlon with SBR Para-Triatlón Elda. He trained with the high-performance group at Club Esportiu Aquarium Alicante under the guidance of Luis García. A year later, Miguel Ángel split his training between Aquarium and Francisco García of CE Eldense. Today he works closely with coaches Alejandro Cantos and Paco, continuing a journey of growth and teamwork.
Club Sportiu Aquarium, third in National Paralympic swimming
Cesar Hernandez
Miguel Ángel, at 24, stands among Europe’s elite in swimming for athletes with intellectual disabilities. This status reflects his dedication to the sport and the outstanding collaboration with coaches Alejandro and Paco and clubs CE Eldense and CE Aquarium. For him, medals hold less weight than the bonds formed with teammates and competitors alike. His belief in camaraderie shines through the strong, supportive ecosystem at Aquarium.
Alicante’s team remains proud of the connections built within the club and the region, underscoring a spirit that extends beyond the pool.
The commitment extends beyond sport. He has volunteered in nursing homes and supported the Alzheimer’s Patients Association, and has completed a caregiver module and a nursing assistant program. He advanced to this level while training in Alicante and Elda, competing in regional championships, and pursuing opportunities within public hospitals in the Alicante province. He balanced sport with studies and professional preparation, aiming to enter a hospital system role in Valencia.
It is also noted that Sportiu Aquarium is recognized for its national standing in Paralympic swimming. The Alicante club has earned 27 individual medals and is seen as a benchmark in nationally adapted sports, adding another highlight to Miguel Valiente’s story.