. “Being an Olympian, representing your country, is the highest honor any athlete can have. Being able to be a part of it, after the bad luck in Tokyo—testing positive for Covid just days before the start—fills me with excitement, and I hope I can contribute to Spain's medal count.”

. “This year I have extra motivation. The positive Covid test that prevented me from competing in the Tokyo Olympics was a tough moment, very tough, because I was playing really well that year. It was very hard to get over it… knowing I had a chance at a medal and not being able to participate…”

. “The Golf National is a demanding course, one where you can't hide in any way, which suits my game. If everything goes smoothly, I'll have a chance to win a medal.”

SEE THE VIDEO INTERVIEW BELOW, IN THE RELATED LINKS SECTION

Jon Rahm, one of the essential figures in Spanish and world sport, is preparing to fulfill one of his great dreams: to compete for the first time in the Olympic Games, specifically in Paris from August 1 to 4.

The impressive record forged by Jon Rahm since turning professional eight years ago has made him a major figure in golf in particular and Spanish sport as a whole, based on his charisma, determination and professionalism.

Jon Rahm, 29, has been at the top of the World Ranking since he burst onto the professional scene in July 2016, accumulating eight European Tour – DP World Tour victories and another twelve on the PGA Tour since 2017.

Special mention for his victories in two 'majors', the US Open 2021 and The Masters 2023, as well as for his important contribution to the European team's victory in the Ryder Cups of 2018 and 2023.

Jon, you've been representing Spain outstandingly for many years, ever since you were very young. What does it mean to compete in the Olympics now?

I admit it wasn't a childhood dream because it wasn't a possibility back then, but being an Olympian, representing your country, is the highest honor any athlete can have. Being able to be a part of it, after the bad luck in Tokyo—testing positive for Covid just days before the Games began—fills me with excitement, and I hope I can contribute to Spain's medal count. I was fortunate enough to do it as an amateur, and I hope to do it now as a professional.

You'll be sharing the same sports space with other great Spanish athletes, such as Nadal, Alcaraz, Cravioto, Marín… An added incentive for you?

Yes, it's a great incentive, it's a shame we're playing outside the Olympic Village and are a bit far from Paris. It will be my fourth consecutive week of competition and I might not be able to do everything I'd like in Paris, to enjoy the Games in general more. But being part of that list of Spanish athletes is amazing for me.

Three years ago, an unexpected positive Covid test prevented you from competing in the Tokyo Olympics. How do you remember it? Is it something that now motivates you and gives you more strength?

It was a tough time, really tough, because I was playing so well that year. I'd tested positive before and had to withdraw from a tournament, but nobody thought it would happen again. Not being able to participate in the Olympics, when my caddie had already left to meet me in Phoenix to then fly to Tokyo… Wow, it was hard, really hard… It was very difficult to get over… Knowing I had a chance at a medal and not being able to participate… So yes, this year I'm going with extra motivation, wanting to know that I missed an opportunity and being aware that who knows how many more I'll have.

The Golf National, a course you know very well, home to the discipline of golf, does that suit you?

Yes, I know it well. I had the chance to win a French Open there, but a double or triple bogey on the 12th hole prevented me from doing so. Then, the 2018 Ryder Cup, which we won, even though I didn't play very well, brings back great memories. It's a demanding course, where you have to do everything right from tee to green, a course that suits my game, one you can't hide from in any way. If everything goes smoothly, I'll have a chance to win a medal.

The competition is individual, not team-based, but you have David Puig next to you. What can you bring to him, and what can he bring to you?

That's something I'd like to change, for the competition to be more team-oriented, truly representing Spain, or at least for there to be some team competition, like in tennis. In any case, sharing this with David is going to be incredible. We haven't played together many times, but we have similar career paths, first in Spain, on the national teams, then at Arizona State University in the United States. I'm really excited that he's qualified and that I can share this with him.