The Infanta Elena made a sea of tears, the other symbol of Barcelona 92

Realzaelena de Borbón, president of the Spanish Paralympic Committee, was unable to contain the tears of emotion before the Olympic Games of Barcelona in 1992.So was that moment.

By César Andrés Baciero

Infanta Elena is the president of the Spanish Paralympic Committee since its foundation in 1995, which has favored the vast majority of national teams competitions.However, the image of the firstborn of Juan Carlos and Sofia more remembered during the celebration of some Olympics will always be that of his face full of tears at the opening ceremony of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

On July 25, Santiago Apostle - Patron of Spain - at 22:40 officially started the XXV Olimpiadof the Paralympic goalkeeper Antonio Rebollo.40 minutes before, the then Prince Felipe de Borbón had made his entrance to the tartan flying the national flag as head of the Spanish Olympic delegation, in which he participated in the Soling de Vela mode.The one who also beat copper during those days was his brother -in -law, Iñaki Urdangarin as a member of the handball team, but then the Infanta Cristina had not yet crossed in his way, that happened four years later and coincidentally in other Olympic Games,those of Atlanta 96.

Felipe wore the Olympic uniform of the Spanish delegation: Otuback hat of White Mimbres to match the shirt and tweezers, marine American, striped tie in rojigualda combination and blue cord shoe as a whole with the belt also of leather leather.The Ilicitana Kelme firm was occupied with the equipment.On that moment, Felipe would say years later on that moment that "it was totally incredible, it gave me the feeling that the parade lasted years and the stadium seemed to shrink, with all those people cheating you".

Queen Sofia, a protocol greeting teacher thanks to the strict German education she received maternally, could not help raising her arms like brave pigeons, as the jury had been in a five years, and beating them with encouragement as wanting to shake the hands ofAll present.Doña Sofía and King Juan Carlos had made their appearance in the tribune of authorities after five minutes of eight in the afternoon while the reaisters were still followed by the national anthem.

Infanta Elena occupied a three rows seat in front of her parents wrapped up by a multitude of authorities.That edition covered the record record of heads of state and prime ministers to an inaugural ceremony since a couple of days before the II Ibero -American Summit had been held in Madrid.The right eye of Don Juan Carlos could not suppress his emotion when he saw his little brother appear greeting the crowd in ecstasy.The Borbonne Infanta, the most castiza since her ancestor the infant Isabel la Chata (aunt of her great -grandfather Alfonso XIII), was a sea of tears.Unable to suppress his crying, at the same time applauded and bit his lips or smiled.Although the people around were turned to see the reaction of the kings, Elena became the protagonist of the moment thanks to the folly of the gala filmmaker, José Ramón Díez, of which almost six million viewers of everything were pending the world.

Last year, in the Radio Carousel Sports Special Olympics of the SER chain, the comedian Joaquín Reyes highlighted this moment as the most memorable of the evening of important Spanish character.Then all Spain was a party, we had uploaded the shock of beer to the head, we were drunk successful since in April the opening of universal exhibition in Seville had been held, Madrid was named European cultural capital and the V Centenary was commemoratedof the discovery of America.The royal family reached its highest popularity quota.It was, in the words of many, the best image of the country.

Elena's crying is almost more remembered today than Cobi, the pet designed by Javier Mariscal.In his chest he lived a mixture of patriotism and fraternal love with which many felt identified.22 years later, the Duchess of Lugo also had to put his hands in the glassy eyes when in the proclamation of her brother as Felipe VI, he thanked her mother, the outgoing queen Sofía, “a whole life of work impeccable at the service of the service of the Spanish people.His dedication and loyalty to King Juan Carlos.His dignity and sense of responsibility are an example that deserves an excited tribute of gratitude that today, as a son and as a king, I want to dedicate to him ”.When asked about her reaction after this act Doña Elena only managed to say "how not to get excited".A few words that could also refer to their sob that magical Olympic night of 1992.