There is no challenge that Álex Roca cannot resist. Whatever goal he sets himself, he achieves it. Whatever the cost. He proved it again on August 10, when he crossed the finish line of the Marathon pour tous in Paris, a race linked to the 2024 Olympic Games.
With this, Roca has become the first person with a 76% physical disability and cerebral palsy to complete an Olympic marathon, an achievement that few could imagine, but which he was very clear about.
The Catalan runner and influencer had described this race as “the biggest challenge” of his life in an interview with El Correo. And no wonder. Completing a marathon is already a titanic challenge, but doing it in his conditions makes it a real feat.
Roca not only shared the glory of his victory, he also wanted the whole world to witness his struggle. Through his Instagram stories, he kept his followers up to date with every step, from the most exciting moments like the arrival to the hardest moments due to fatigue.
Throughout the 42,195 metres, the battle was as much mental as physical. According to Roca, one of the most difficult stretches was kilometre 33, where exhaustion hit him with all its force. In his own words, it was then that he used “his head to try to reach the finish line”, thus demonstrating his ability to overcome obstacles and determination.
There are no limits
An inspiration for all
With this, she was not just looking for personal recognition, but something much deeper: giving visibility to people with disabilities. Her goal was clear from the beginning, and it was not just about crossing a finish line.
For Roca, this race symbolizes the struggle of all those people who, like him, have had to overcome difficulties and exclusion. “I want this message to spread throughout the world,” he wrote on his social networks. It is not just about what he has achieved, but what it represents for many others who, inspired by his story, can begin to believe in their own abilities.
The message of this influencer is clear: he will not stop until the world understands that the inclusion and visibility of people with disabilities is a fight that concerns us all. This marathon is not the end, but one more step on a path that he promises to continue following, always with his sights set on a greater goal.