Departures of note

Gustavo Oliva was a Spanish padel player and coach who became a leading reference of the sport in Catalonia. He built his career as a competitor and later as a trainer, earning wide recognition within the regional padel community over many years. In his final weeks he used his public platform to urge people to take preventive medical check-ups, after being diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer that had metastasized to his liver, spleen and numerous lymph nodes. He announced his imminent death in a heartfelt open letter on 7 October 2026 and gave a last interview from the palliative care unit of the Pere Virgili hospital in Barcelona. His death prompted tributes from figures in the Spanish sports world, including former tennis player Álex Corretja, who remembered him as a great professional and friend.