Colombia honored Olympic BMX gold medalist, Mariana Pajon, on Wednesday with another gold medal for her excellence in sport.
The BMX racer was honored along with a slew of other athletes at the first ever Colombian Sports Gala, put on by Colombia’s sports community, Coldeportes and attended by President Juan Manuel Santos.
The Gala, held in Bogota, was the first ever event of its kind and was geared to show special appreciation for the effort of the athletes, sponsors, media, and event organizers who contributed to Colombia’s sporting success.
In 2012, Colombian athletes succeeded in winning eight Olympic medals, two Paralympic medals, 12 world championships and 27 youth world championships in a variety of sports.
BMX biker and Olympic gold medal winner, Mariana Pajon, was awarded the ceremony’s Gold Medal for Excellence for winning the second gold medal in Colombia’s history.
Paralympic athlete Elkin Serna, who won an Olympic silver medal in the marathon race, also received the Gold for Excellence.
Moreover, Hinestroza Yiliana, weightlifter, and winner of three gold medals at the Junior World Weightlifting Championships, was recognized as the “promise of Colombian sports.” Several other awards were handed out including a fair play and coaches award.
President Santos tweeted after the event, “Congratulations to the winners at the Colombian sports Gala Night. Our athletes are a national pride.”
Felicitaciones a los ganadores en la Noche de Gala del Deporte Colombiano. Nuestros deportistas son orgullo nacional.
— Juan Manuel Santos (@JuanManSantos) March 7, 2013
Sources
- La Gran Noche de Gala del Deporte Colombiano, premiara a los mas destacados de 2012 (Mundo Ciclistico)
- Presidente Santos destaca actitud de excelencia del sector deportivo (Coldeportes)
- Mariana Pajon recibio el oro a la excelencia (El Colombiano)
