Lourdes Reparaz López, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 10 February 1948 - Vitoria-Gasteiz, 23 October 1999, was an outstanding sportswoman from Alava, a pioneer in swimming and lifeguarding, both nationally and internationally, during the 1960s and 1970s. Her career not only positioned her as one of the most important figures in the sporting history of Alava, but also contributed significantly to the advancement of women's sport in her region.
Sporting career
Reparaz began her sporting career at the Judizmendi Swimming Club in Vitoria-Gasteiz, where she not only excelled in swimming, but also in lifesaving and lifeguarding. Throughout his career, he won multiple titles and awards in both national and international competitions.
In 1969, at the World Lifesaving and Lifeguarding Championships in Rome, she achieved several milestones that cemented her worldwide fame. She was crowned world champion in the 200m hurdles swimming event, and also won a silver medal in the lifeguard throwing event and another gold medal in a team event. In 1970, at the World Lifesaving and Lifeguarding Championships in Varna (Bulgaria), she won three more medals: two silver and one bronze.
Apart from his achievements in lifesaving and lifeguarding, Reparaz excelled in swimming, where he was recognised for his mastery of open water swimming, especially in competitions held in the north of Spain. His most important victories include the La Concha Bay Crossing in San Sebastian (1965) and the prestigious Descent of the Navia Estuary in Asturias (1967).
Acknowledgements
Lourdes Reparaz's brilliant career earned her numerous awards. In 1969, after her success at the World Championships in Rome, she was awarded at the Alavés Sports Gala as the best sportswoman of the year. She also received the gold badge of Deportivo Alavés, and was honoured by various institutions such as the Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council and the Provincial Council of Álava.
Another outstanding recognition was in 1970, when she travelled to Barcelona to receive two silver medals for sporting merit from Juan Antonio Samaranch. Furthermore, in 1992, she was selected to carry the Olympic torch for the Barcelona Olympic Games on its route through Alava, a reflection of her status as a reference point for sport in her community.
Legacy
In addition to her sporting success, Lourdes Reparaz was a staunch supporter of women's sport. She continued her links with sport through her collaboration with the Alava Swimming Federation and the Judizmendi Swimming Club, where she helped to relaunch the lifeguard section in the 1990s.
On a personal level, Reparaz was married to Eugenio Viloria Cameno, with whom she had a daughter, Amaia Viloria Reparaz. She died at the age of 51, on 23 October 1999, after a long illness.
Her legacy lives on not only in the sporting sphere, but also in the social sphere, through her work to pave the way for future generations of sportswomen in Alava.
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