Olympo was, unfortunately, a massive disappointment and there are far better sports-themed series out there.
To start with, here I am watching another show with subtitles. That’s not a bad thing in itself, but the story has to be compelling enough to keep me engaged and this one struggled to do that.
This Spanish Netflix drama follows a group of young athletes at an elite training academy called the Centre of High Performance. The premise had potential: when one of the swimmers collapses in the pool, her best friend Amaia begins to investigate the extreme lengths athletes are going to in order to be the best. What unfolds is a web of secrets, betrayals, and competition, both in and out of the water.
The show explores the athletes’ interpersonal dynamics as they compete for a coveted sponsorship with the fashion brand Olympo. On paper, that sounds exciting but in practice, the series felt uneven. It attempts to tackle serious topics like doping in sports, which added a moral dimension to the story. However, the execution felt delayed, only becoming truly effective by the fifth episode and there are only eight.
A line that stood out was from the character Nuria: “Listen, it’s only cheating if you get caught. Otherwise, it’s called strategy or talent.” That quote encapsulates the show’s ethical ambiguity, which could have been more impactful if developed further.
Another frustration was the number of subplots that went nowhere. For example, I really wanted closure on what happened to Zoe’s friend Yaiza. It felt like the writers set things up and then forgot about them. The script also felt a little predictable.
That said, the acting was a highlight. Clara Galle, who played Amaia, gave a strong performance. At first, I found her character annoying, but as the series progressed, I realised that was intentional and by the end, she proved to be the voice of reason. Another standout was Nira Oshaia as Zoe Moral, who brought emotional depth and presence to every scene she was in.
The cinematography was top-notch, and the music was a pleasant surprise stylish, atmospheric, and fitting.
Overall, Olympo starts off painfully slow and disjointed, but does manage to pull things together towards the end. It’s not awful, and there are moments worth watching, especially if you enjoy drama with a darker edge. Still, I’d say: watch it for yourself and let me know what you think.