Today, the President of the Catalan Government, Carles Puigdemont, together with the Minister of the Presidency, Neus Munté, received the Catalan athletes and coaching and medical staff who competed in the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.

 

In his address, the President expressed his gratitude to the Catalan delegation on “behalf of the entire country” for their participation in the Rio Olympics, but above all for their “example and discipline in overcoming adversities”. “We feel represented and proud”, Puigdemont affirmed.

 

President Puigdemont made reference to the long history of Catalan sport and explained how “there are federations that for more than 100 years have understood sport as something other than a way to pass the time”. “The result of this is success and the growing excellence that allows us to compete with the world’s best”, he added.

 

In total, 98 Catalan athletes competed in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games, winning 8 out of the 17 medals that were obtained by the Spanish representation. With regards to the Paralympic Games, 33 Catalans competed and brought back 11 of the 31 medals obtained by the State delegation.

 

Also speaking at today’s reception were Gerard Figueras, Secretary General for Sport, gold medallist Mireia Belmonte, who spoke on behalf of the Olympic representation, silver medallist Sarai Gascón, who spoke for the Paralympic athletes and Jaume Marcé on behalf of the coaching staff.