“For Spain and for the whole world, we won 41 medals”

Pablo Bustinduy, Minister of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030, He said on Tuesday that the Paralympic athletes provided “an extraordinary image of the country” at the Paris Games. and stressed that both “for Spain and for the whole world” 41 medals were won, referring to the disqualification of Elena Congost in the marathon.

The Spanish team won 40 medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games (7 gold, 11 silver and 22 bronze), four more than at Tokyo 2020. although there could have been 41 if Elena Congost had not been disqualified from the marathon event.

The Catalan athlete let go of the rope for a second as a reflex so that his guide, Mia Carol Bruguera, would not fall, causing his disqualification.

The Spanish Paralympic Committee, which disagrees with the decision, will try to appeal in the reflex action of a person, explaining that the Spanish couple reached the finish line almost four minutes (3h04:23) before the Japanese Misato Michishita and that the incident of letting go of the rope for a second did not influence in the result.

“We gave an extraordinary image in Paris. We gave the image of a diverse country, proud of what it is and capable. For me, for Spain and for the whole world there are 41 medals,” said the minister, in an act of gratitude to the Paralympic team held at the Higher Sports Council.

“Medals and achievements in sports are as important as what is invisible, which is the discrimination or structural inequality that millions of people suffer from. When spaces of equality and inclusion are built, the talent and ability shine. Your responsibility is not It is not to be a role model, or to inspire and illustrate, I believe that society and the public powers must strive to achieve equality.” commented the minister.

Pilar Alegría, Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, was also present at the official reception of the Paralympic athletes.

“I have never been to or had the opportunity to go to a Games and I did not know that one could experience a sport with such intensity of nerves, passion, sadness, anger or joy. These are experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life my life,” he admitted.

“Thank you for the forty medals and thank you for all the efforts made throughout the year. Some of you achieved a medal that we celebrated with deep emotion. Congratulations because for fifteen days you represented the best value as a nation. to work, perseverance, inclusion and equality. You are the best ambassadors of our country,” he said.

“It is a luxury to enjoy, learn and experience these Games. I have no doubt that the quality, energy and enthusiasm we will bring from Los Angeles in equal or greater numbers. You have won twice the work, enthusiasm, effort and in recognition of the people and the country you represent,” he commented.

José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, president of the Higher Sports Council, wanted to summarize the participation of Spanish athletes in the Paralympic Games in three words: “gratitude, pride and confidence.”

“I feel gratitude and I want to thank you for the unity that appears and that is behind the successes of this team. I am proud of the medals, which I hope instead of 40 there will be 41. They are wonderful -amazing medals and won by an example of man. The last one word is trust. The next challenge in the medium term is Los Angeles and we will work together, together, we will see if we think of fifty medals and for that home, ” he admitted.

Miguel Carballeda, president of the Spanish Paralympic Committee, emphasized that “sport helps to raise awareness in a society with different abilities so that it becomes better.”

“In the twenty years that I have been leading the Committee, I have tried to make it not only about sport but that each performance can bring a little awareness to society as a whole. I admire all the athletes and I am grateful. the house this ( CSD) to see four ministers and a president of the Government at the Paralympic Games this is also a queen that my arm is so strong from the elbows she gave me in our team,” he joked.

“A self-respecting society must take care of the weakest link in the chain. That is why it is important that governments take care of all people, especially the poorest groups. Medals are important but . We are human beings, capable and “Society cannot do without the talent of four and a half million people who have a lot to contribute,” he commented.

Carballeda, who will not stand for re-election as president in the next General Assembly of the Spanish Paralympic Committee, reiterated his support to Alberto Durán, current vice president, and asked Alberto Jofre, director of the CPE, not to retire and continue ” one more year.”

Among the athletes, triathlete Susana Rodríguez, who won gold with her guide Sara Pérez, and chair tennis player Martín de la Puente, bronze winner with Daniel Caverzaschi, served as speakers.

“This cycle has been a lot of effort, work and injuries but it has also been a change for the better. It is the arrival of Team Spain, which has changed our daily lives for the better, the Sports Law , that Although it seems like it’s not our turn, for sports with disabilities it has meant a before and after, and it has been the equalization of the awards,” said Susana, in her speech.

For Martín de la Puente “the most important thing” is that the entire Spanish delegation left “everyone in their respective sports”, he congratulated the medalists and remembered those who could not get on the podium because, as happened to him in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, you were left with “a thorn in your side.”