José Méndez

José Méndez was a member of the Spanish coxed fours at the 1960 Rome Olympics. They finished fifth, and last, in both the first round, and the repêchage. Fortunately, that was not indicative of the rowing career that lay ahead for Méndez, who went on to become a great rowing administrator and coach.

In a life dedicated to rowing Méndez promoted the sport in the Galicia region of Spain, and in 2013 was honoured with the Sports Distinction with Merit Award from the regional government.

Méndez started rowing at the age of 15 with the Real Club Náutico de Vigo and he went on to win many medals at Spanish Championships, and represented Spain internationally on many occasions. Between 1961-67 Méndez lived and worked in France, but continued rowing with the Seine Rowing Club in Paris. Upon his return to Spain, he created the rowing section of the Club Liceo Martitimo de Bouzas (Maritime School), and in 1969 became the coach to the national rowing team and founded the National College of Coaches of the Spanish Rowing Federation (FER),

In 1974, Méndez founded, and became president and coach of, the Club Remo do Miño in Tui, Pontevedra, thus establishing rowing in the city. Miño went on to become one of the foremost rowing clubs in the region.

In 1988 Méndez was a co-founder, and treasurer, of the Galician Olympic Sports Association and between 1988-91 was a teacher at the Pontevedra High Performance Centre. In 1989 Méndez was appointed a vice-president of the FER, and in his capacity as a delegate of the Federation represented them at may international regattas, including Lucerne, and the World Championships at Tasmania in 1990. A Spanish representative on the IOC, Méndez was one of the torch bearers for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics where he was also head of the Spanish rowing team

In 2015, Méndez returned to the Club Remo de Miño as president but had to leave the position due to ill-health in 2019. However, they made him an honorary president. Thanks to his long career in the sport, Méndez received many awards including the gold badge of the FER, gold badge of the Galician Olympic Sports Association, and Galicia Distinction for Sporting merit amongst others. He also received honorary presidencies of many Spanish rowing clubs, and was also the one-time national rowing coach of Venezuela.