Marileidy Paulino and Rebeca Andrade Shine at National Sports Awards
Madrid – In a ceremony held at the Palacio de El Pardo, the King and Queen of Spain honored the most outstanding athletes of 2023 and 2024. Among those awarded, Dominican sprinter Marileidy Paulino and Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade received important recognitions. Marileidy Paulino was distinguished with the Ibero-American Community Trophy 2023, in recognition of her outstanding performance during the year, including the gold medal in the 400 meters at the Budapest World Championships. Paulino, 29 years old, made history by becoming the first woman from the Dominican Republic to reach the top in a world athletics championship, an achievement she revalidated at the Paris Olympic Games. Due to prior commitments, Paulino was unable to attend the ceremony. Instead, the Dominican Republic’s ambassador to Spain, Tony Raful, accepted the award on his behalf, presented by King Felipe and Queen Letizia, in the presence of the Spanish Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, Milagros Tolón.Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade was honored with the same award, but in the 2024 edition, after obtaining four medals at the Paris Games, including gold on floor. Andrade, 26, was also absent from the event, and the chargé d’affaires of the Brazilian Embassy in Spain, Luiz Claudio Themudo, received the trophy in her place. Other outstanding athletes of 2023 and 2024 were Lamine Yamal and Rodri Hernández. Rodri’s father, Antonio Hernández, accepted the award on behalf of his son, a Manchester City player, who had a commitment in the Premier League against Fulham. Rodri was recognized for his achievements in 2023, including the English league, the Champions League and the FA Cup, as well as the Nations League with the Spanish national team. Aitana Bonmatí, Barcelona midfielder, and María Pérez, Spanish athlete, were present to receive their awards. Bonmatí, the first player to win three consecutive Ballon d’Ors, and Pérez, gold medalist in race walking at the last World Championships and in Paris 2024, were honored for their achievements. Dutch athlete Femke Bol, awarded the 2024 European Union Trophy for her three medals in Paris, including gold in the 4×400 relay, was also absent.The Ibero-American Community Trophy recognizes the athlete who has stood out the most during the year in the international arena.
Government of Spain
