Marina García, a fourth year student in physiotherapy and member of the Sport Talent programme at UIC Barcelona has been awarded the award for the best overall athlete of the 2023-2024 academic year. The student, who has recently graduated, received the award at a ceremony held on 13 June at the headquarters of the Pompeu Fabra University, championship organiser this year.

García began her studies at UIC Barcelona in 2018 and has been combining elite sport with her studies in physiotherapy since then. Swimmer of Club Natació Sabadell and the Spanish national team, she participated in the London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. This year she also hopes to get a place in the pre-Olympic trials to go to Paris 2024. 

In the university championships she has won 5 medals in the Catalan University Championships and 3 in the Spanish University Championships. She also holds the record for the best time ever in the CCU in the 100 meter breaststroke test with 01:11:17 at CN Barcelona. 

Other recognitions this year went to physiotherapy student Simon Cognet who received the award for best athlete in badminton, and Daniel Lara, coach of the men’s handball team, who was recognised for his career.