Biel Cuen debuts at Europeans as Andorra’s 200/400m freestyle record-holder

Biel Cuen, 18, is competing in Lublin at his first senior European Short Course Championships. He arrives as Andorra’s record-holder in the 200 and 400 freestyle; his debut, together with Kevin Teixeira, marks a generational change in Andorran swimming.

Cuen says he faces the meet with a lot of enthusiasm. It is his first time competing at senior level and his main aim is to gain international experience for the future.

Being part of this generational relay gives him motivation and confidence. “Being very young and having opportunities like this in Lublin gives me an extra boost of energy to be stronger,” he says.

He raced the 400m the day before, swam the 200m the following day and will also contest the 800m. He feels most comfortable in the 400 and 800, though he was unable to lower his time in the 400, posting 3:52.58.

His chief objective in Lublin is to improve his times. Lowering a personal best would, he believes, show that the training is working and that the effort is paying off. He says he has been training well and feels capable of doing so.

FAN technical director Alfonso Maltrana noted Cuen arrived in good shape. Cuen recently competed at the Spanish Short Course Championships in Barcelona, where he set the current Andorran records in the 200 and 400. In the weeks since, he says the team has continued preparing with enthusiasm for the Europeans.

A new national record would be welcome but is not his primary focus; gaining experience and reducing times remain the priorities.

Cuen describes his relationship with Kevin Teixeira as very good. Although they often train in different places and do not coincide frequently, they represent the same country and push to perform their best. Individual competition exists but, he says, it is healthy.

He highlights that this year has brought strong progression; he is proud of his improvement and notices gains even in longer distances.