The life of Jesús Rollán, a water polo legend in Spain, was full of successes, but his destiny took an unexpected and tragic turn.
The world of sport gives away thousands of stories that become legends. Jesus Rollan He was much more than an elite athlete in Spainwas a water polo iconHowever, his personal life was plagued with difficulties, from his fight against injuries until his battle with the depression and addictions.
Known for his charisma, Rollán not only shined in sports, but also attracted the attention of the Infanta Cristinawith whom he was linked for some time, becoming a key figure in the royal family. His life, marked by personal successes and challenges, ended unexpectedly and tragically in 2006 leaving open a debate about how sport prepares you for success but not for facing retirement from the profession.
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The story of Jesús Rollán, the water polo star who had a tragic end
Jesús Rollán was an emblematic figure of sport in Spain. His skill as a water polo goalkeeper led him to conquer a silver medal at the Olympic Games from Barcelona 92, another of Gold in Atlanta 96 and in the World Championships in Perth 98 and Fukuoka 2001. In that same year, Rollán entered the history of the sport by obtaining the title of best archer in the worldor something that very few athletes achieve. However, his personal life was plagued with difficulties, from his struggles with injuries to his battle with depression and addiction.
Once he left, Jesus did not know how to carry the burden of the depression that comes from withdrawing from his profession at a very young age, something that happens to thousands of athletes every year. The great sadness he carried in his chest made him relapse into addictions which escalated until they became an impossible-to-stop hurricane that devastated his marriage and separated him from his children.
Despite the attempts of the Spanish Federation Waterpolo to help him, including his appointment as coach and ambassador, Rollán failed to overcome his inner demons. The pressure after his retirement, family problems and the struggle with his addictions led him to a downward spiral that ended tragically when, in 2006, He took his own life throwing himself off the terrace of the addiction centre where he had been hospitalised for several months. The news of his death shocked everyone, leaving behind a legacy of sporting glory tarnished by a sad and abrupt end.
Source: Ambito
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