The sports facility in Magaluf has officially been named Pista de Atletismo Joan Munar Martínez since yesterday, in honour of the municipality's long jump Paralympian.
The Calvià Town Hall has formalised the name change of the athletics track in Magaluf, which will now be known as Pista de Atletismo Joan Munar Martínez from this Wednesday. The event, held at the facility itself, brought together authorities, family members, and locals to recognise the career of the Calvià athlete, bronze medalist in long jump at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
A unanimous recognition from the municipal plenary
The new name was unanimously approved in the Calvià Town Hall plenary, following a petition campaign supported by locals and sports entities. The mayor, Juan Antonio Amengual, presided over the unveiling of the signage, which replaces the previous generic name of the facility.
“What makes Joan Munar one of the most important figures in Calvià are his values and abilities,” declared Amengual during the event. “His name will not only serve to remember an exceptional athlete from the municipality, but it will also be a symbol that with effort, there are no insurmountable barriers. Today, it is your town that, with the same pride, places your name on its map forever.”
From blindness to Olympic bronze
Joan Munar Martínez, a native of Calvià, progressively lost his sight due to a degenerative disease. Rather than giving up, he reinvented himself as a Paralympic athlete and specialised in long jump. He has been training for years on the Magaluf track, a venue he knows intimately and which now bears his name.
Visibly moved, Munar expressed his gratitude for the tribute: “That the municipality has decided by consensus and after a large petition to name the athletics track after me is a true dream and an honour. I have dedicated many years to this sport, training and competing at this facility. Due to my visual impairment, I have had to adapt and reinvent myself. In the end, I think it has turned out well; I have achieved a bronze medal, the first in a Paralympic Games for Calvià.”
The athlete wanted to send a message to the younger generation: “I hope this recognition serves as an example for many other young people, whether they have a disability or not.”
An internationally recognised track
The athletics track in Magaluf is no ordinary facility. It has become an international reference for training and concentration camps for clubs from various countries, which choose it for its climate and quality of equipment. With the new name, the municipality strengthens the link between elite sports and grassroots sports.
For the residents of Calvià, the name change is a source of pride. The track, located in the Magaluf area, is used daily by hundreds of local athletes, from schoolchildren to federated athletes. Now, every time they step on the tartan, they will remember that effort and overcoming challenges have a name.
The event concluded with a long ovation from attendees, who wanted to personally congratulate Munar. The facility now displays the new signage, and the Town Hall plans to organise an open day in the coming weeks so that all citizens can see the renovated track and, in turn, pay tribute to the athlete who makes it special.
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