José Antonio Lucas, the most veteran and respected face of canoeing in the municipality of San Javier now has his own street in Santiago de la Ribera, the town where he grew up and where he started in a sport that has marked his life.
Surrounded by his family, friends and neighbours, Lucas, together with the Mayor of San Javier, José Miguel Luengo, unveiled the plaque with his name on the street that the Town Hall of San Javier has dedicated to him, in recognition of his long sporting career full of successes and his contribution to the practice of canoeing in the municipality.
José Antonio Lucas arrived at the old Claveles street, which now bears his name, under an arch of paddles formed by the youngest members of the canoeing club who surrounded him on an afternoon in which he also had the support of the Councillor for Sports, Sergio Martínez, who opened the event, a large representation of the presidents and directors who have passed through his club, as well as regional canoeing and athletes such as the canoeist David Cal, among other friends.
It was precisely a friend with whom he has been rowing for 47 years, José Juan Jiménez, who dedicated a few words to him. «Pastrana, the coach at the time, told us that if we wanted to win we had to train and above all have the enthusiasm and faith of Lucas», recalled José Juan Jiménez, for whom Lucas «was a point of reference, an example for all of us».
Lucas began his achievements in 1982 when he won his first Spanish championship. That year he was called up to form part of the national marathon team, competing in England and Holland. Since then he has won 14 Spanish championships, 10 runner-up medals, 5 World Marathon Championships, 5 silver medals and 1 bronze medal, 6 European Championships and 1 Veteran’s Olympiad.
«The values of sport are perfectly reflected in Lucas. He is a point of reference for everyone and a mirror in which to look at the younger ones», said the mayor, who remarked on his «perseverance, discipline, effort and enthusiasm». José Miguel recalled that after a traffic accident in 2019, which kept him away from canoeing for two years, Lucas returned to competition, and so far this year he has won four golds and a silver in Spanish championships so far this year.
José Antonio Lucas, who in a few days faces a new marathon world championship, acknowledged that «I didn’t know how to live without going to the canoe club to train, fix a canoe or give some advice to the new kids who were just starting out». Visibly moved, Lucas thanked the tribute received and the presence of his colleagues and friends. «I will always remember with great affection the first medal in a Spanish championship in 1982. I never imagined the path that awaited me», he said.
