COE tribute to the heroes of Albertville and Barcelona ’92 Olympic Games

He Spanish Olympic Committee this Friday honored the athletes who participated in Albertville and Barcelona Olympic Games 1992, in an event that took place at the entity’s headquarters. In the presence of King Philip VI and of Queen Letiziathe great numbers that marked that year for Spanish sport were also there.

The beautiful moments that marked the magical summer in Barcelona are especially alive, dedicated to its Games before July 25 and continue to clearly remember what happened in the time that passed until August 9. The president of COE Alejandro Blanco ordered the act, which began with an interpretation of ‘Barcelona’ by Montserrat Caballé and Freddy Mercury, and he remembered what that date meant.

“Today we pay a sincere, emotional and loving tribute to the athletes who redefined sport and Olympicism in our country. The heroes and heroines of Albertville and Barcelona’92,” he began White. “Up until Barcelona we had four golds, seven silvers and twelve bronzes. There were thirteen gold, seven silver and two bronze. Of the 421 participating athletes, 229 went home with a medal or diploma. Spanish sport has come of age,” he recalled.

But those Games did not represent a definitive leap in quality for Spanish sport. “Spain has opened itself to the world. From the ‘Hello’ of the inauguration, we are all convinced that unattainable dreams can always be achieved. Success has become an aspiration, a desire and an obligation,” continued Blanco. “The Games closed with ‘Friends forever’, a hymn to unity. “Thank you for knowing that being an Olympian is forever and for strengthening the sport and its values ​​in our country,” he concluded.

The second half of the event was led by a speech by King Philip VI, who achieved the Olympic sailing diploma with Fernando León and Alfredo Vázquez in the sailing ‘soiling’ class after sixth place. “Those Games were an organizational triumph, a display of popular enthusiasm. The proof of this is the volunteer movement. The Games put Barcelona, ​​​​​​Catalonia and Spain on top,” he celebrated.

Felipe VI remembered the importance of the Games. “They are the Games of a city, where citizens from all over the world are welcomed. I had the honor of carrying the Spanish flag. I vividly remember the roar of the Olympic Village when Moreno won gold in track cycling,” he smiled. “When Barcelona invited the world to be ‘Friends forever’. Spain is proud to have passed the Games in such a high fashion. Juan Antonio Samaranch said they were ‘the best Games in history’. This is the definitive leap in quality for Spanish sport,” he explained.

The king closed his speech by talking about the immediate challenges of Spanish sport. “We share the will and enthusiasm to surpass 22 medals in Paris. We are close to Athens and London. We wish the success of the Olympic and Paralympic delegations,” he said.

The athletes, present

At the event it was announced that it would be delivered a commemorative diploma of those Olympic events to all Spanish athletes who participated in Barcelona and Albertville. Awarded to athletes, with videos of Barcelona medals and the best moments of the Games, photos of athletes who achieved Olympic diplomas in the Catalan capital and with emotional memories of Games medalists Winter. Blanca Fernandez Ochoa. Anecdotes of Barcelona’s heroes are present.

In front, the one with the Olympic gold in the 1500 meters Fermin Cacho. “I took about two hours of sleep before the race. When you’ve trained well, it’s best to rest. I remember that because I arrived a little late in Barcelona, ​​I had a room where the windows opened to air conditioning and that made me relax,” the athlete recalled.

Athletes have also spoken out about what those Games mean. “I went from not knowing a shy girl to getting a gold medal and seeing the kings standing and applauding me,” recalled the Olympic champion judoka Almudena Muñoz. For Spanish football, meanwhile, that gold is the boost it’s been waiting for. “Now the women’s team is number 1 and world champion. The man is always fighting. I see them with the highest options to match us”, he requested José Emilio Amavisca.

He also showed his impressions Patricia Guerra. “It is an honor to be a reference for young athletes. We had a long road,” he noted. “We opened a path and It was a privilege to be a part of that generation of athletes“, agreed Elena Benitezgold in a taekwondo that was once an exhibition sport and is now a mainstay of the Spanish sport.

Daniel Plaza He recalled winning the 20 km walk and explained that he was on the verge of passing out in the final part of the race. “My mom put one candle when she competed. That day she put five”, he said between laughs. Who else was ahead of the Olympic event, as a water polo coach, was Miki Oca. “We’ll give everything for gold”promised

It constitutes the change that those Games represent Jose Manuel Moreno. “We always went to the Games with the feeling that participating is enough. We need to finish. And we did it”, celebrated in memory of his gold in track cycling. Those Games also meant a leap forward for Spanish women’s sports. “All the women who are here and who paved the way for us are pioneers. Almudena came to me the next day, the hockey girls, Theresa… At that time we were quite invisible. The Barcelona Games opened us up to the media,” he thanked Miriam Blasco.

1992 was a year that undoubtedly changed the history of Spanish sports, seeking to break the barrier of twenty-two historic medals. With that aim for Paris 2024, Spanish Olympism continues to pay tribute to its ’92 heroes.