Nothing has as much
power to lift Madrileños to the height of
joy or drag them into deep depression as sport does, victories and
tragedies are passionately recounted in the sports dailies, Marca
and As.
The enthusiasm for sport does not stop at simply watching and cheering;
many Madrileños partake in the annual Maratón
Popular de Madrid (telephone number: (91) 366 9701), on
the last Sunday in April, finishing at Retiro Park /Plaza de Cibeles.
Another big event is September’s La Vuelta de España,
the Spanish answer to the Tour de France, a cycle race that whisks
its way around Spain before reaching Madrid, where five laps of
the Castellana single out the winner.
Tickets to most sporting events are available either from the separate
venues or from Localidades Galicia, Plaza del Carmen
(telephone number: (91) 531 2732).
Basketball (baloncesto)
Basketball is second only to football in the hearts of Madrileños.
The season runs from September to May, with April marking the climax.
Madrid has two top teams, Estudiantes
and Real Madrid.
The venue for the former is Palacio Vistalegre,
Paseo Vista Alegre (telephone number: (91) 422 0708), and for the
latter, Pabellón Raimundo Saporta, Paseo
de la Castellana 259 (telephone number: (93) 398 4300).
Bullfighting
The bloodthirsty sport of bullfighting takes place at the Madrid
bullring, Plaza de Toros, Calle de Alcalá
237 (telephone number: (91) 356 2200). Tickets are available from
Localidades Galicia, Plaza del Carmen (telephone number: (91) 531
2732.
Fitness centres
Most gyms (gymnasios) are members only, however,
many hotels have their own gyms or agreements with private health
clubs.
Madrid has some 45 city-run polideportivos (sports centres)
offering wide-ranging facilities, including gyms, swimming pools
and tennis courts. Polideportivo Municipal Chamartín,
Plaza de Perú (telephone number: (91) 350 1223), is one of
these.
Football
Football (fútbol) is the major obsession in the city. Madrid
has two vast stadiums that fill up on Saturday and Sunday evenings
during the September–May season. Atlético
Madrid, now promoted to the first division, plays at Estadio
Vicente Calderón, Paseo Virgen del Puerto 67 (telephone
number: (91) 366 4707).
The European champions, Real
Madrid , play at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu,
Calle Concha Espina Paseo de la Castellana (telephone number: (91)
398 4300).
Another important sporting venue is the top-class Estadio
de la Comunidad de Madrid, ‘La Peineta’, Avenida
de Arcentales (telephone number: (91) 720 2400), one of the proposed
venues for the 2012 Olympics, should the games be awarded to the
city.
Golf
Golf clubs tend to be expensive. Golf Olivar de la Hinojosa,
Avenida de Dublin, on the metro Campo de las Naciones (telephone
number: (91) 721 1889), charges approximately €23 for nine
holes and €37.50 for 18 holes. Membership is not required and
beginners and seasoned golfers are welcome. Facilities include tennis
courts.
Swimming
Open-air swimming pools (piscinas) are a necessity in Madrid’s
summer heat, with the season running from the beginning of June
to September.
The rooftop pool in the Hotel Emperador, Calle Gran Vía 53
(telephone number: (91) 547 2800), offers spectacular views over
the city and is open to non-residents for €25 Monday to Friday
or €35 during the weekend.
One of the best outdoor municipal pools is Instalación
deportiva del Canal de Isabel II, Avenida Islas Filipinas
54 (telephone number: (91) 533 1791), near metro Canal, open from
1100 hrs–2000 hrs, with admission costing €3. Information
on Madrid’s other public swimming pools is available from
Instituto Municipal de Deportes ( IMD (telephone
number: (91) 540 3939).
Tennis
Madrid has many tennis clubs but most are private. Many polideportivos
(see Fitness Centres above) have tennis courts that are open to
non-members. A central polideportivos is Instalacion deportivo
del Canal Isabel II, Avenida Islas Filipinas 54 (telephone
number: (91) 533 1791 or (91) 554 5153). The standard fee per hour
is €4. |
