The Medallists of Piragüism with The King (RFEP)

His Majesties the Kings and His Royal Highness the Infanta Doña Elena, president of honor of the Spanish Paralympic Committee, received in the Royal Palace of El Pardo members of the Spanish Olympic and Paralympic teams who obtained medal or diploma in Rio 2016 to personally congratulate them on the successes achieved. Piragüismo led the Spanish Olympic medallion, which won 17 medals (7 gold, 4 silver, 6 bronze) and 38 diplomas. The Paralympic added 31 medals and 101 diplomas. In a few words, Don Felipe reminded them that "you have filled with illusion, emotion and joy the homes of millions of families throughout Spain, who have followed you, who have admired your effort, your struggle; that we have celebrated your triumphs and have felt as own the challenge of each competition in every specialty. You have always fought to the end, without fainting and without giving up; your courage, sacrifice, quality and determination have left a great mark on everyone, of admiration and gratitude. In all fairness, we have considered you true ambassadors of our country.".

The athletes were accompanied in the meeting with His Majesties the Kings and His Royal Highness the Infanta Doña Elena by the acting Minister of Education, Culture and Sport, Iñigo Méndez de Vigo, the president of the Higher Council of Sports, Miguel Cardenal, the president of the Spanish Olympic Committee, Alejandro Blanco, and the first vice president of the Spanish Paralympic Committee, José Alberto Álvarez, as well as the members of the Olympic and Paralympic executive committees.

"But today, in addition to congratulating you on your magnificent participation, which has allowed us to feel the emotion of seeing our Flag and listening to our Anthem many times, I want to express to you the pride we feel for you. A pride that goes beyond tangible and concrete successes - the medals and the Diplomas. I am referring to the example that you have all given us, without exception, and that you transmit to our society, and that is based on the best values of Olympism: The search for excellence and triumph from honesty and fair play; competitiveness always accompanied by respect for the adversary; rivalry but never enmity with those who compete; to gain and to lose with greatness and humility... And finally, know how to fight shoulder to shoulder for the success of your team - our team, the team of all - which is Spain", the King said before concluding. The athletes were accompanied in the meeting with His Majesties the Kings and His Royal Highness the Infanta Doña Elena by the acting Minister of Education, Culture and Sport, Iñigo Méndez de Vigo, the president of the Higher Council of Sports, Miguel Cardenal, the president of the Spanish Olympic Committee, Alejandro Blanco, and the first vice president of the Spanish Paralympic Committee, José Alberto Álvarez, as well as the members of the Olympic and Paralympic executive committees.