Protest in Nou Barris over the Can Dragó tracks: athletes denounce loss of space and halt in activity

The adaptation of the venue for football has drastically reduced the space available for athletics. Coaches, families, and users report that training has become unsafe and that competitive activity has been almost completely halted, with a particular impact on grassroots groups and young people with functional diversity.

The protest will take place on Thursday 7 May at 17:55, just before training begins, to ensure visibility and participation. The meeting point will be the main entrance to the tracks, under the slogan “Recuperem Can Dragó per l’atletisme”, calling on the entire sporting community of the district.

The club is calling for urgent action: to refurbish the gym and changing rooms, restore the jumping and throwing areas, and improve the stands. They are also asking for a stable maintenance plan and a solution that guarantees real coexistence between disciplines without compromising safety or everyday use of the track.

The situation has sparked debate about the use of sports facilities in the city. In neighbourhoods like Nou Barris, where grassroots sport plays a key social role, the loss of space affects not only training but also community cohesion and equal access to physical activity.

UPD: The protest has already taken place and the conflict has entered a new phase. Following pressure from Club d’Atletisme Nou Barris and affected families, the debate has also reached the City Council, where the need to return Can Dragó to athletics when CE Europa can move back to Nou Sardenya has been raised. The commitment still needs to be specified with a timetable and actions, but the club maintains its demands: to regain full use of the tracks, refurbish the affected areas, and ensure the facility returns to normal operation for athletes, the sports school, and local users.