MADRID, Jan. 15 (SportsFinding) –
The Royal Spanish Canoeing Federation (RFEP) has launched its Hall of Fame on Wednesday, which aims to “create a space to recognize the contribution of different personalities and materialize the legacy of this sport,” as indicated by a Press release.
The first edition of the Hall of Fame, virtual and corresponding to the year 2020, will be presented on February 1 during the National Gala, which will take place in the Alfredo Goyeneche auditorium of the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE). Thus, the members to enter will come from two categories: athlete and coach / coach.
Regarding the category of athlete, the RFEP has detailed that “male or female paddlers are understood from the different disciplines of canoeing and in individual or team participation.” All applicants must have retired from the competition at least four years before the nomination.
About the category of coach / technician, will be a candidate “all male or female worker who has taught, promoted the sport and contributed to their success in their different disciplines.” Applicants must have retired at least four years before their nomination or, if they are still active, have had a significant career and have exercised for at least 10 years.
Thus, the 13 nominated athletes are David Cal (winner of 5 Olympic medals), Herminio Menéndez (3), Luis Gregorio Ramos Misioné (2), José María Estaban Celorrio (1), José Ramón López Díaz-Flor (1) , Guillermo del Riego (1), Narciso Suárez (1), Enrique Míguez (1), Beatriz Manchón, Izaskun Aramburu, Belén Sánchez, Ana Penas and Sonia Molanes.
Likewise, the five aspiring coaches are Suso Morlan ('in memoriam'), Eduardo Herrero, Luisa Álvarez, José Seguín and Vicente Rasueros. Regarding the election system, which is open until January 22, it will be decided by a popular vote that participants access through the website of the federative entity.
Then, there will be a second phase of selection by a committee of experts; This, among others, includes the president of the International Canoeing Federation (ICF), José Perurena, and his Spanish counterpart, Juan José Román Mangas, as well as the president of the Spanish Association of the Sports Press, Julián Redondo.