An Olympic Medal and Legacy That Will Live Forever: Thank You Andrea Fuentes

It has been my greatest professional honor to build this alongside Andrea. I will miss her and Victor, but we achieved what we set out to accomplish and I am so happy for them to start the next chapter of their incredible life story.

With a Heavy Heart, I Say Goodbye It is with a heavy heart that I announce the conclusion of my mission in the United States. When we first arrived, I knew our time here wasn’t permanent, but I didn’t realize just how deeply this journey would impact me. The experiences, challenges, and growth I’ve encountered in the US have shaped me in ways I could never have imagined. I came here with a vision to become the coach I always dreamed of being. The US, a country that changed my life as a child and inspired me to become an Olympian in Artistic Swimming, was the perfect place to pursue this dream. From the very beginning, this country believed in me, even when I was just starting out as a coach. The road wasn’t easy—adapting to a new culture and environment brought many challenges—but each obstacle made me stronger, more resilient, and more determined. I leave with immense gratitude for all the experiences and the incredible people who have been part of this journey. USA Artistic Swimming not only helped me build the coach I wanted to be but also shaped me into the person I am today. The growth I’ve experienced here is something I will carry with me forever. As much as I’ve cherished this chapter, the time has come for me to return to Spain, primarily to take care of my family. Their support and sacrifices have been the backbone of this journey, and now it’s my turn to give back to them. I’m ready to continue to grow as a coach in Spain as well and to spread the love for the sport in high performance.  They say, “A good coach makes better athletes, and a great coach changes lives”. I hope I did! You certainly changed my life for the better. While I’m deeply saddened to leave behind the incredible momentum we’ve built and to miss out on future milestones like LA 2028, I know that the team here is more than capable of continuing the journey without me. Thank you, USA, for everything. Always forward!

Being part of this amazing project has been an honor and a tremendous life-learning experience. I am a much better coach now than I was before, and that is something the swimmers have given me, for which I will always be grateful. We built a team like the ones that make history. We've created something that will be forever remembered within the crazy world of this magical sport, as well as deep in our hearts.

Our unique bond has been a guiding force, helping us navigate both the challenges and triumphs of our leadership in the USAAS program. I am profoundly grateful for the 5 years alongside Andrea.  Andrea is not just a fierce leader; she is a unique individual who inspires everyone to strive for greatness. From our first meeting, she sparked my passion for coaching, teaching me the importance of love and empathy in our work.  While it’s hard to see her go as she embarks on this new chapter with her family, I couldn't be happier for her and Victor. Their impact will continue to touch lives. Thank you, Andrea & Victor, for everything—you will be deeply missed.