"It is very painful, I could not believe it": the most difficult fight of the Olympic champion Maica García
The Catalan water polo player denounces, in tears, CN Sabadell for kicking her out after becoming a mother
BarcelonaThe press room of CN Sant Andreu hosted an atypical press conference this Thursday. It is difficult to separate the name of the water polo player Maica García, an Olympic champion, from the club of her life: CN Sabadell. It is even more difficult to imagine the outcome of what, until just a handful of days ago, was one of the most successful stories in this sport in Catalonia. The specialist in the center-forward position burst into tears at the presentation with her new club when she explained the ordeal she has experienced in recent months, which has led to a complaint against the Vallesan entity. García explained that, after more than 30 years at CN Sabadell, she was forced to leave the institution when the club did not renew her contract upon her becoming pregnant, just as the law dictates.
"My contract ended on August 31st, and during that time I did not receive any communication from the club. Last week, human resources called me and then I found the message from Social Security that they had deregistered me," the player explained. García explained how she has experienced the whole process: "I communicated the pregnancy to the club in January 2025. I took leave for occupational risk, but I continued to stay in shape. The club provided me with a physiotherapist, a physical trainer, and a specialist to work on my pelvic floor; everything went perfectly. I also received aid from the RFEN [the Spanish Swimming Federation]".
The player, calm, proceeded with her pregnancy: "On September 25, 2025, I gave birth and everything went normally. I returned to training in November, still on leave, with the fitness coach. I was calm, because I was starting the 2025-26 season pregnant and, therefore, I was calm regarding my contract," she said. And, as the player argues, citing royal decree 1006/1985, since she had begun the final season of her contract while pregnant, the bond had to be extended for one more year. "I was calm, I wanted to talk to the club, both publicly and privately, everyone knew that I wanted to continue. They were not aware, or have not been, that this law existed. I took it for granted, calmly, that I would reach Los Angeles playing with Sabadell," noted the water polo player, who has the goal of reaching the 2028 Olympic Games that will be held in the Californian city.
In contrast, from CN Sabadell they argue that the decision not to extend the contract with García for one more season responds to strictly sporting criteria. They also explain, as reported by the Diari de Sabadell, that royal decree 1006/1985, on which the player bases her claim, establishes an extension of the contractual bond in the season following the one in which the pregnancy occurs. Here, the Vallesan entity considers that, since García became pregnant at the end of 2024, during the 2024-25 season, according to the interpretation of the regulation that the club considers valid, the renewal would correspond to the 2025-26 season, not the current one, 2026-27.
Maica García: "I had a severe anxiety attack"
Despite this painful departure, García maintains that CN Sabadell, with whom she has won more than 70 titles, including seven Champions, will continue to be her club. "I am from here, I grew up here, but I am leaving hurt by some people who run the club. I am unhappy with the management, I don't deserve this, neither do I nor anyone else." The water polo player found out a few days ago that the club would not renew her contract. "They were referring to a Maica who is not the one from ten years ago. I have been a mother, my life has changed, but I feel that I am a player who can return to the elite and continue dreaming of reaching the Games." Finally, the rupture: "My contract ended on August 31st, and during that time I had no further communication from the club. Last week they called me from human resources and afterwards I found the message from Social Security that they had deregistered me. I don't deserve this."
The water polo player, in tears, explained that the situation caused her "a great deal of pain" and "a severe state of anxiety": "I had to go about analyzing the situation, but I didn't want to believe it. According to the player, the club explained to her that they did not renew her contract due to the sports project and technical decisions. "I have led many sports projects for this club," García wanted to point out.
The current player for CN Sant Andreu, whom she thanked for the "interest, treatment, and tranquility" she has received from her new team, also stated that she is considering suing CN Sabadell for breach of contract. García also wants her example to serve to "lead a social change": "Before, I didn't have any role model, any example of a woman who had been a mother and had returned to the elite level. I want to fight for the next girls or women who want to be mothers so that they have an easier path".