TOKYO — The most successful Olympian in Spanish history realized after the Rio Games that he had to leave his job.
In between winning four medals—two gold, one silver and one bronze—in sprint kayak from 2008 to ’16, Saúl Craviotto had worked as a police officer in Gijón, on Spain’s northern coast. (Sprint canoeist David Cal won five medals but only one gold.) Craviotto enjoyed the work, patrolling the streets, nabbing bad guys, trying to keep his city safe. Then, one day, he was frisking someone when the suspect recognized him.
But not for his kayaking. “You’re the MasterChef guy!