With the presence of the King and Queen of Spain, the Sports Awards ceremony was held this Thursday in Spain, in which the Panamerican Judo Confederation (COPACI) received the Iberoamerican Community Trophy, in the section dedicated to the best Iberoamerican athlete, entity, club or institution of the year 2022.
On his personal page on the social network Facebook, the head of COPACI, José Manuel Peláez, dedicated this award to all those who in 100 years of history of the entity have contributed to the formation of values in the cycling family. Below we reproduce his words.
DAY OF JOY AND HAPPINESS: COPACI RECEIVES THE IBEROAMERICAN COMMUNITY TROPHY.
When we were given the news on December 27, 2023 that COPACI had been awarded the Iberoamerican Community Trophy, I recognize that the first thought was for those who in the first 100 years of our Pan American Cycling Confederation had turned their work into sowing values. Coaches, federation officials, leaders, mechanics and riders were the bearers of this award.
This April 4, at the Royal Palace El Pardo, I had the honor of receiving from the hands of the King and Queen of Spain Felipe VI and Letizia the beautiful Cup that accredits us as the winners of one of the 14 aparatados delivered each year by the Consejo Superior de Deportes de España. And again I could not help but get excited and think of the cycling family of America.
I must personally thank the president of the International Cycling Union, David Lappertient, who traveled expressly to Madrid to accompany us in a recognition that does not archive another continental Confederation of the UCI. I also extend a friendly embrace to José Luis López Cerrón and Alejandro Martínez, president and secretary, respectively, of the Spanish Cycling Federation. Without them we would not have been able to run.
The minutes of the ceremony continued with protocol photos and a final reception in which we were able to talk with the King of Spain about the sport, especially of a COPACI that turned 100 years old in 2022 as well as the newly created Iberian Cycling Union. His attention and gentleness with all the guests showed that the most important thing is not the awards themselves, but the commitment to the future.
It is a day of joy and happiness. Soon we will have our Pan-American Congress and we will share new ideas without overlooking the fact that this Ibero-American Community Trophy belongs to all of us and not to anyone personally. As I write these lines, I am encouraged only by a great passion to continue working and to make COPACI stronger, brighter and more value-forming.
I embrace you all. This day and this Award make us dream again.
