Antonio Rebollo


Antonio Rebollo Liñán is a Spanish Paralympic archer. During the Opening Ceremony of the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, he lit the Olympic Cauldron by shooting a flaming arrow over it, igniting the gases.

Life and career

When Rebollo was eight months old, he contracted polio with both legs affected, the right one severely. He was quoted as saying "I simply wanted to do things that challenge me." He was one of 200 archers considered. There were sunrise practices, along with wind machines to simulate various weather conditions, and flaming arrows that would often singe fingers. He was among four finalists, and was chosen just two hours prior to the release of his arrow.
Rebollo represented Spain at the 1984, 1988, and 1992 Summer Paralympics. He won a silver in 1984, bronze in 1988, and a second silver in 1992.