IWF120y/56 – 2016: The first, third Olympic medal for Lydia Valentin

No, there isn’t any mistake in the way the title of this story is written. In 2016, at the Rio Olympic Games, Spain enjoyed its first-ever medal in weightlifting, a feat brilliantly achieved by Lydia Valentin, in the women’s 75kg. With a result of 116-141-257, the Iberian star earned the bronze medal. It was an encouraging improvement after a fifth and fourth place in Beijing 2008 and London 2012, respectively. However, what was initially celebrated as a first podium presence for Spain in the Sport soon became obsolete, with several disqualifications (due to positive doping re-analysis of samples) leading to two more medals for Valentin: in 2018 and 2019, she received retrospectively a silver for her 2008 performance (115-135-250) and then a gold for her 2012 outcome of 120-145-265. Born in February 1985, Valentin may have missed the medal momentum on two occasions but remains the sole Olympic medallist (all genders) for Spanish weightlifting and became one of the most popular athletes in the country. Besides her three Olympic successes, she was a two-time world and four-time European champion. Valentin still qualified for her fourth Olympics, in Tokyo 2020ne, but finished in 10th. “When I received the gold medal from London 2012, almost seven years later, I felt a kind of tranquility and peace. I knew from the beginning that I was the ‘real’ Olympic champion in that event!” commented the Spanish ace, reflecting on the highest moment in her career. Lydia Valentin announced her retirement in September 2023.