José Cusi

José Cusi started his athletic career as a swimmer and water polo player, and was the Catalonian regional champion in the 100 metres freestyle in 1951. He then took up sport shooting and won numerous Spanish national titles, which led to his selection to represent his country in the trap shoot at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. There, he placed 14th. His skills led him to work as a shooting instructor, in which capacity he met the future King of Spain, Juan Carlos, Príncipe de España. The two became lifelong friends, with Juan Carlos even training Cusi to compete in sailing at the Olympics, although ultimately Cusi did not participate.

Juan Carlos was not Cusi’s only distinguished friend; as an expert scuba diver, Cusi once accompanied famous explorer Jacques Cousteau on an expedition. Outside of sport, he had degrees in electrical engineering and worked in business.