From Rio Volunteer to Paris Olympic Champion: Adriana Oliva's Inspiring Tale

Adriana Ruano Oliva, who had to end her gymnastics career due to a spinal injury at 16, found herself volunteering at the 2016 Summer Olympics to stay connected with sports. Eight years later, she became Guatemala's first Olympic champion in trap shooting, a sport she initially disliked. She won the country's third Olympic medal on Wednesday.

Transition from Gymnastics to Shooting

After quitting gymnastics in 2011, Adriana felt lost about her future. Her routine of training and school was disrupted, and she wanted to remain involved in sports. Her doctor recommended shooting as it wouldn't worsen her back condition. With help from her brother's friend, a skeet shooter, Adriana began practicing the precision sport at 29.

"My dream was to participate in the Olympics as a gymnast and yeah, unfortunately, the injury made me retire from gymnastics but right now I am in this sport and it's really incredible. Now I am grateful also for that injury because now I am here," Adriana said.

Challenges and Inspiration

Guatemala City has only one shooting range, and the sport is not well-supported in the country. Adriana doubted if she could make a living from trap shooting. She applied to volunteer at the 2016 Rio Olympics, hoping to experience the Games in some capacity. "I applied to be a volunteer because I thought if I can't do Olympics as an athlete, I can do it maybe as a volunteer. They put me in shooting and I was able to see my teammates," she recalled.

Witnessing the competition reignited her Olympic dreams. "I was able to see the full competition and I think that was the moment that inspired me to say okay maybe it wasn't in gymnastics, I can do it here in shooting," Adriana added.

Overcoming Personal Loss

Adriana made significant progress over four years and competed in the 2020 Tokyo Games. However, she finished last in the women's trap event. Her father's death four weeks before the Games added emotional weight to her experience. Determined to honour him, she aimed for a better performance three years later.

"It was a really difficult moment for me father's death. I did well to qualify for Tokyo but finished last. At the end of competition I felt, I was not honouring my father. So I came here to Paris Games for putting an improved performance," said Adriana.

Support and Motivation

Adriana drew inspiration from her best friend, who switched from gymnastics to taekwondo due to injury, and Rafael Nadal's multiple comebacks from injuries. "He Nadal inspired me a lot. Also, not just because he's a really good athlete, but also because he is a good person. And that's, I think, is the most important thing here in sports. It is not just about achieving your objectives; it is also about being a good person," Adriana noted.

Despite challenges like limited training resources and ammunition shortages due to the International Olympic Committee suspending Guatemala, Adriana persevered. "You know we are just two athletes in Guatemala and we only have one range. I hope we can have more support following the Olympic gold. We are a small sport in Guatemala," she added.

Seeing her daughter hit 45 out of 50 shots on Wednesday would have made her father proud.