Athlete Marko Usabiaga withdraws from European Championship to avoid Spanish team

The runner living in the Aran Valley prioritizes his Basque identity over the continental competition in Irun.

Generic image of a high-performance mountain training center.
IA

Generic image of a high-performance mountain training center.

Athlete Marko Usabiaga, currently residing in the Aran Valley, has announced his withdrawal from the European OCR Championship because he refuses to compete for the Spanish national team.

The 22-year-old runner, who trains at a high-performance center in Aran, explained that his decision is based on personal consistency and identity. Usabiaga is a prominent figure in Obstacle Course Racing (OCR), a sport combining long-distance running with physical challenges.

"I will not go out with the Spanish jersey nor will I run."

Marko Usabiaga · OCR Athlete
The championship is scheduled to take place in Irun at the end of May. Speaking to Euskadi Irratia, the athlete mentioned that he is following his father's footsteps in defending his identity and expressed hope for a future independent Basque national team in the sport.