Garcia's top-level athletic career took off when he was already approaching his thirties. He first came to prominence with a gold medal in the 5000 metres at the Mediterranean Games at Bari in 1997. The following year he finished 19th in the short race at the 1998 IAAF World Cross Country Championships and then finished 49th in the 1999 IAAF World Cross Country Championships. In the 2000 IAAF World Cross Country Championships he ran the long race and came in 29th. He failed to qualify for the 5000 metres finals at the 1999 World Championships and 2000 Olympics, but then came fourth in the 5000 metres at the 2001 World Championships and in the following year he became the European 5000 metres champion at the 2002 European Athletics Championships.