Madrid Olympic
Madrid - One Big Stadium As far as sport is concerned, Madrid is a city that can be said to enjoy sport, whether in top competitions or in the even more important promotion and practise among the public of all ages. Good proof of this is that there are no less than 1800 public sports centres, plus an endless number of private establishments. In particular, there is a growing interest in golf, offered for both visitors and business tourism. The city operates an active policy of building and improving the public courses (Club de Campo, Club Olivar de la Hinojosa, Centro Nacional de Golf de Arroyo Fresno under construction, etc).
This has borne fruit in the form of three big international tournaments this year: the LV Spanish Professional Championship - Banco Atlántico Grand Prix - and the II International Golf Award, both in June, and the BBVA Open Turespaña Masters of Madrid Region in October. Besides, November will see, for the very first time, the I International Golf Show, which will no doubt become the golf industry's big biannual date in our city.
To the above, other sports can be added, which make Madrid 'one big stadium', and the top competitions are briefly summarised as follows:
Athletics Memorial (February) and Madrid's Marathon, with about
10,000 participants (MAPOMA, April). In basketball, the Region
Trophy (September) and the International Christmas Tournament
(December). In cycling, Spain's Long-Distance Cycle Race (Final
Phase, in September) and the popular Bicycle Festival (October).
In equestrian sports, the International Show Jumping Grand Prix
(June). And not forgetting sports which can be practised on the
outskirts of the city, such as motor racing, skiing, etc.