MADRID, 19 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Olympic champion in triple jump, Jordan Díaz, the Olympic bronze medalist in judo, Fran Garrigós, and the former cyclist Luis Ángel Maté, have been the athletes awarded this Thursday in this very special edition of the Wild of the Year, which coincides with the 60 anniversary of the Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana.
An awards ceremony that took place this Thursday at the Student Residence, a focus of Spanish culture for decades, and in which Antonio Sabugueiro, ideologist of the test, and Josep Celaya, deputy general director and director of customer experience at Nationale, participated. -Nederlanden, sponsoring company of the race.
Jordan Díaz, Olympic and European champion in 2024, stated that when he has “hit his ceiling” as an Olympic champion, it is “complicated to look for goals” but that I already have “the World Cup and the triple crown in mind.” “It is an honor to receive an award from the most important race in the world,” he added about receiving the Silvestre award.
For his part, judoka Fran Garrigós, the first Spanish medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the -60 kilogram category, confessed that “it was an unforgettable day” because he had been “fighting for this medal for many years,” and in Paris “it became a reality.” “. “It has nothing to do with another championship even if it has the same competitors. My goal is to return to Los Angeles,” he added.
Finally, former cyclist Luis Ángel Maté, recently recognized with the ‘Gino Mäder’ Award for his involvement with social and solidarity causes, explained that Vallecana is a “very important part” of Spanish sports culture. “This race is an example that sport has a transformative power in society,” he said.
In addition, the Silvestre 2024, which since 1991 has honored athletes, institutions and personalities with special social value or with outstanding involvement with Vallecana, awarded the journalist José María García, the former mayor of Madrid, José María, with the Special Silvestre 60th Anniversary. Álvarez del Manzano, and the former sports councilor, José Gabriel Astudillo.
The former mayor of Madrid José María Álvarez del Manzano stated that Madrid is characterized by its “traditions”, and “within them is the San Silvestre”, while the journalist José María García recalled that in its beginnings “it was unthinkable” that the San Silvestre will become what it is today.
Also awarded were the journalists Lourdes García Campos and Mónica Martínez, awarded for their involvement with the race and the world of sports, as well as the cardiologist Gonzalo Guzzo, representative of all health professionals who ensure the promotion of sports.
“Few people have done as much for people’s health as Antonio and San Silvestre Vallecana. This race is unique and has magic,” said Dr. Guzzo. For her part, journalist Lourdes García Campos stated that “there is no better way to end the year than by running the San Silvestre Vallecana.”