In 1980, he swam at the Moscow Olympics, where he became the first Colombian swimmer to reach an Olympic Final: in the 100-metre final. He finished seventh in 1:05.91 in Moscow (more than two seconds behind the winner Duncan Goodhew). The hope for an Olympic medal would begin two years later at the 1982 World Championships in Guayaquil, when he placed fifth place in the 200-metre.