Andrea Fuentes is the new head coach of Spain’s artistic swimming national team, as announced today by the Royal Spanish Swimming Federation (Real Federación Española Natación).
Originally from the region of Catalonia in Spain, Fuentes is returning home after six years at the helm of the U.S national team, most recently leading the country to a silver medal at the Paris Olympic Games.
“After a fulfilling and transformative journey in the United States, my mission there has reached its conclusion. I’ve learned how to be a coach in a culture that’s very different from Spain, and now I’m excited to discover how to be the best coach I can become in my home country.
I know this will require finding a new, customized path that fits the unique people I’ll encounter. I love a challenge, and I’m confident that this next chapter will create unforgettable memories. A good coach makes better athletes, but a great coach changes lives. I’m ready to change lives for the better, and allow my own to be transformed in the best way possible. It is an honour for me to become the new leader of the Spanish national team.”
Andrea Fuentes is a highly accomplished and decorated figure in the world of artistic swimming. She was part of Spain’s national team from 1999 to 2013, and heavily contributed to the rise of the nation on the international stage during these years.
Appearing in three Olympic Games, she is one of the most decorated Spanish artistic swimmers with four Olympic medals, 16 world medals and just as many European accolades.
After retiring from competition, Fuentes eventually transitioned into coaching and has made a significant impact as the head coach of the American team since she took on that role in September 2018.
Under her leadership, Team USA has seen a resurgence in its competitive performance, claiming multiple podium finishes at the last two World Championships, as well as a silver medal in the team event at the 2024 Olympics, the country’s first medal at the Games in 20 years.
“My goal was to become the coach I always envisioned, and there was no better place to do that than the U.S. — a country that changed my life as a child and set me on the path to becoming an Olympian in artistic swimming. The U.S. believed in me from the start, even when I was still finding my way as a coach. The journey was challenging and rewarding at the same time, every struggle and triumph shaped me into the coach I am today.”
Fuentes is known for her innovative training techniques, her capacity to profoundly understand and quickly exploit the intricacies of the new scoring system, as well as her ability to bring out the best in her athletes, guiding them to success on the international stage. Her influence has undoubtedly been instrumental in revitalizing the U.S. team’s standing in the global artistic swimming community.
“Now, it’s time to return home and also focus on my family, who have made tremendous sacrifices to support this dream in the US. When we arrived, I knew our time in this country wasn’t forever, but I promised myself that we wouldn’t leave until the mission was accomplished. I am very grateful for what the US has given me and I’m very proud of what I have given to USA Artistic Swimming too. I feel the full circle is closed. Mission accomplished.”
Fuentes will return to her old stomping grounds at the Sant Cugat High-Performance Center, also known as CAR Sant Cugat, near Barcelona, where she spent nearly 15 years. Although, this time, she will be the one coaching and guiding the next generation of athletes in this new Olympic cycle, with fresh hopes and dreams. One thing is clear: she is excited to bring her vision to life in her country and to help shape the future of Spanish artistic swimming.
Fernando Carpena, president of the RFEN, is also looking forward to this new chapter in the history of Spain’s artistic swimming, with Fuentes at the helm:
“Andrea wanted to return home and it was an opportunity we couldn’t miss. She was a legend and gave a lot to the Spanish artistic world as an athlete and has demonstrated her great ability as a coach. Despite her youth, she has a proven profile and a long way to go, we want her to do it with us.”
Another coach making the move back to Europe is her husband, Victor Cano. He will be the team’s acrobatics coach – a role he had already embraced for Team USA, helping the country become one of, if not the, strongest in that area. Cano will also serve as a coach in the gymnastics section of the CAR Sant Cugat.
Fuentes is expected to start in her new role this fall. She replaces Mayuko Fujiki, who had been the head coach since September 2017. Fujiki had previously made it clear to the federation that she would leave her position once the Paris 2024 Olympic cycle was over. Her departure was reported yesterday by Spanish media.
ARTICLE BY CHRISTINA MARMET
Cover photo: Kennedy Shriver / USAAS
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