Atlanta 1996. Without the automatic right to participate in all team sports, as Spain had enjoyed in Barcelona, the Spanish delegation at Atlanta was reduced by half — from more than 80 athletes to around 35. The absence of Basque pelota, even as a demonstration sport, also had an impact.
In terms of medals, however, the Atlanta Games were successful for Basque sport, with several Basque athletes reaching the podium.
The golden girls of field hockey from Barcelona 1992 were not as fortunate and failed to achieve good results in Atlanta. However, Estíbaliz Martínez, Lorena Guréndez, and Tania Lamarca, all from Álava, climbed to the top of the podium as members of Spain’s rhythmic gymnastics group team, which won the gold medal.
With the Olympic gold in hand, the Spanish rhythmic gymnastics team confirmed the excellence they had already n at the World Championships. These young gymnasts from Vitoria, who trained eight hours a day, six days a week, managed to defeat the tournament favorites — the Bulgarians and the Russians — by the narrowest of margins, just 70 thousandths of a point.
In cycling, Induráin and Olano made history by winning gold and silver medals respectively in the individual time trial. They achieved a double similar to that of the World Championships in Colombia the previous year, when Olano won gold and Induráin silver in the road race. This time, however, the medals were even more significant, since the event was Olympic and featured the best specialists in the world. Despite his disappointment and the bitter end to his final Tour de France, Miguel Induráin took his revenge with a commanding gold. For Abraham Olano, aged 26, it was his first Olympic appearance.
In his second Olympic participation, Induráin completed the 52.2 kilometers in one hour, four minutes, and five seconds, finishing twelve seconds ahead of Olano.
In handball, the Spanish national team won the bronze medal. Among its members were Basque players Aitor Etxaburu, Josu Olalla, Iñaki Urdangarin, and Mateo Garralda, whose countless hours of dedication to the sport were thus rewarded.
In canoeing, Izaskun Aramburu from Gipuzkoa and Gregorio Vicente from Biscay were the only Basques to reach a final. Competing in her first Olympic Games, Aramburu earned two Olympic diplomas, finishing sixth in both the K-2 500 and K-4 events. Gregorio Vicente also earned a diploma, finishing fifth in the K-4.
Some expected results, however, slipped away. Martín Fiz, the best marathon runner of the decade, finished fourth; Melquíades Verduras (rowing, double scull), who had appeared to be a medal contender based on his recent world performances, was eliminated in the repechage; and Maite Zúñiga, the first Spanish woman ever to reach an Olympic final, was unable to compete in her third at Atlanta.
Marathoner Martín Fiz, European and world champion in this demanding event, was disappointed with his fourth place, as it denied him a third crown — the Olympic title. Despite being a strong performance, it left him just short of achieving a unique milestone in athletics: winning the three major marathon titles in the same season.
The Spanish football team, coached by Javier Clemente and featuring six Basque players, was eliminated in the quarterfinals after losing 4–0 to Argentina. Also notable was the surprising performance of Almudena Cid, a young 16-year-old gymnast from Vitoria, who finished ninth in rhythmic gymnastics individual competition, missing an Olympic diploma by just fifteen thousandths.
Basque Participants at Atlanta, by Sport
- Athletics: Martín Fiz, Diego García (marathon), Maite Zúñiga (1,500 m), Cristina Petite (5,000 m), Iñigo Monreal (400 m hurdles).
- Handball: Mateo Garralda, Josu Olalla, Aitor Etxaburu, Iñaki Urdangarin.
- Cycling: Miguel Induráin and Abraham Olano (time trial), Joane Somarriba and Izaskun Bengoa (road race).
- Football: Sergio Corino, Jorge Aizkorreta, Gaizka Mendieta, Aitor Karanka, Iñigo Idiakez, Agustín Aranzabal.
- Rhythmic Gymnastics: Almudena Cid (individual); Lorena Guréndez, Estíbaliz Martínez, and Tania Lamarca (group).
- Judo: José Tomás Toro.
- Equestrian: Juan Matute.
- Field Hockey: Silvia Manrique, Nagore Gabellanes, Teresa Motos, Begoña Larzabal, Maider Tellería, and Edurne Urquizu.
- Mountain Bike: Jokin Mujika, Roberto Lezaun.
- Swimming: Jorge Pérez.
- Canoeing – Slalom: María Eizmendi, Xabier Etxaniz, Cristina Martínez, Esteban Arakama.
- Canoeing – Sprint: Izaskun Aramburu, Gregorio Vicente.
- Olympic Shooting – Double Trap: María Quintanal.
- Rowing: Melquíades Verduras.