Middle-distance runner Fermin Cacho will be forever remembered as the face of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics Spain's first ever gold medal by a runner in the 1500m. He also competed in the SPAR European Cup on four occasions, winning the 1500m in 1996 and 1997.

Cacho on his best experience in the SPAR European Cup...

I think it has to be 1997. Unlike other years, I came into the SPAR European Cup in good shape and I was very confident because my season was already going well. I knew that, whoever my rivals were, I would win thanks to my strong finish.

Cacho on his worst experience in the SPAR European Cup...

Probably1993. It was a very slow race, a typical Cup 1500m race! I was surprising overhauled in the final 50 metres by (the Ukraine's Andrey) Bulkovskiy and finished second. I have bittersweet memories from that edition of the Cup. On the one hand I was happy to have the chance to compete in it for the first time but the defeat left me with a sour taste in my mouth. Spain didn't get a single victory in Rome and were relegated.

Cacho on the 1996 SPAR European Cup in Madrid...

The previous year in Villeneuve d'Ascq, I had to settle for third because I made a mistake and I also didn't expect the kind of race that occurred there. In Madrid, I concentrated hard on what was happening as the race developed. I also remember that it was a very hot afternoon and that it was a strong field but I was performing in front of my home crowd and so it was a must not to let them down. I wasn't 100 per cent fit but I had to win at all costs. My goal was to have the race under control at all the time so that I could take advantage of my speed down the home straight, and the tactic paid off!

Cacho on the value of the SPAR European Cup...

It's the most important competition for teams (in Europe). With only one athlete per event, the level is almost as good as the European Athletics Championships themselves. It's also a very good set of tests for the athletes, as they have the opportunity of assessing the level of their training and checking that they are thinking about the rights thing for future competitions.