Jon Rahm, one of the indispensable references of Spanish and world sport, is about to fulfil one of his greatest dreams: to play in the Olympic Games for the first time, specifically in Paris from 1 to 4 August.

Jon Rahm's impressive track record since he turned professional eight years ago has made him a great figure in golf in particular and in Spanish sport as a whole, based on his charisma, determination and professionalism.

Jon Rahm, 29, has been at the top of the World Ranking since he broke into the professional ranks in July 2016, accumulating eight victories on the European Tour - DP World Tour and another twelve on the PGA Tour since 2017.

Special mention for his triumphs in two majors, the US Open 2021 and The Masters 2023, as well as for his important contribution to the victory of the European team in the Ryder Cup in 2018 and 2023.

Jon, you have been defending the colours of Spain for many years in an outstanding way since you were very young. What does it mean to play in the Olympics now?
I recognise that it wasn't a dream when I was a child because it wasn't a possibility then, but being an Olympian, representing your country, is the highest honour that any athlete can have. To be able to be part of it, after the bad luck of Tokyo - positive for Covid a few days before the start - makes me very excited and I hope I can be part of the Spanish medal tally. I've been lucky enough to do it as an amateur and hopefully now I can do it as a professional.

You are going to live in the same sporting space with other great Spanish sportsmen and women, such as Nadal, Alcaraz, Cravioto, Marín? Is that an additional incentive for you?
Yes, it's an incentive, it's just a pity that we're playing outside the Olympic Village and we're a bit far from Paris. It will be the fourth week in a row of competition for me and it's possible that I won't be able to do everything I would like to do in Paris, to enjoy the Games more in general. But to be part of that list of Spanish athletes is impressive for me.

Three years ago, an unexpected positive test for Covid prevented you from competing at the Tokyo Olympics. How do you remember it? Is it something that now gives you more strength?
It was a tough moment, very tough, because I was playing very well that year. I had already tested positive before and had to withdraw from a tournament, but nobody thought it could happen again. Not being able to participate in the Olympics, when my caddie had already taken off to meet me in Phoenix to fly to Tokyo... Bufff, it was hard, very hard... I had a hard time getting over it... Knowing that I had medal options and not being able to participate... So yes, this year I go with extra motivation, with the desire to know that I lost an opportunity and being aware that who knows how many more I will have.

The Golf National, a course you know well, the home of golf, does it suit you?
Yes, I know it well. I had the chance to win a French Open there, but a double or triple bogey on the 12th hole prevented me from doing so. Then the 2018 Ryder Cup that we won, although I didn't play very well, brings back great memories. It's a demanding course, where you have to do everything right from tee to green, a course that suits my game, that you can't hide from in any way. If everything goes smoothly, I'll have a chance of winning a medal.

The competition is individual, not team, but you have David Puig next to you. What can you bring to him and he to you?
That's something I'd like to change, that the competition would be more team-based, really representing Spain, or that at least there would be an option to compete as a team, like in tennis. In any case, sharing it with David is going to be amazing. We haven't played together many times, but we have similar backgrounds, first in Spain, in the national teams, then at Arizona State University in the United States. I'm very excited that he has qualified and to be able to share it with him.

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Key dates for Olympic Golf
23 July: Olympic Torch visits Le Golf National
29 July: Match announcement and tee times for men's golf competition
1-4 August: Men's golf competition
5 August: announcement of fixtures and tee times for the women's golf competition
7-10 August: Women's golf competition