This was Alcobendas's start as a European City of Sport

The Teatro Auditorio Ciudad hosted the "Gala del Deporte 2024," the event that marked the beginning of Alcobendas as "European City of Sport 2025." In homage to the recent Olympic legacy, the gala included the exhibition of the first Olympic torch from the Berlin 1936 Games, along with the 16 torches that have arrived in Spain from Rome 1968 to Paris 2016.

Conducted by comedian Dani Delacámara, the gala began with a special tribute to Olympic figures from Alcobendas. Among them, Gerardo Seeliger, participant in sailing at the Munich 1972 Games; Jesús Tortosa Cabrera, bronze in taekwondo at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games; Ángel Aguado, technical director of the Spanish triathlon team in Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024; and the Councilor of Sports, Jesús Tortosa Alameda, who was an Olympian in Seoul 1988 as a taekwondo athlete and later a coach in five other editions of the Games.

Tribute was also paid to local athletes who participated in the recent Paris Olympics and Paralympics, including Ana Arnau (rhythmic gymnastics), Lorea Ibarzabal (athletics), Hugo Tortosa (taekwondo coach), Diego Méntrida (paratriathlon guide), and Katy Hernández (paralympic basketball).

During his speech, Councilor Jesús Tortosa expressed the city's pride in its Olympic athletes, highlighting how they have brought Alcobendas's name to the highest levels of competition. Alberto Tomé, General Director of Sports of the Community of Madrid, emphasized that "these athletes are a reflection of the city's sporting excellence and embody fundamental values such as effort, dedication, and sacrifice."

Recognitions to Young Talents and Established Athletes

The gala also included the awarding of prizes to more than 80 outstanding athletes in various disciplines, both in youth and absolute categories. In the Under-15 category, Alejandro Sánchez, bronze medalist in taekwondo at the European and Spanish championships, and Salomé Maulashivili, Spanish judo champion, were recognized. In the Under-20 category, the awardees were Jaime de la Cal, national fencing champion, and volleyball players Candela López and Carlota Echavarri, called to represent Spain in the 2024 Pre-European Championship.

Awards for Sporting Excellence

Among the top awards of the gala, Daniel Caverzaschi, bronze in doubles at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games; Lorea Ibarzabal, Spanish champion in the 800 meters and Olympian in Paris 2024; and Ana Arnau, member of the Spanish Rhythmic Gymnastics Team, with which she achieved 6 golds, 3 silvers, and 3 bronzes during 2024, in addition to participating in the Olympic Games, were highlighted.

One of the most emotional moments of the night was the tribute to José Martínez Sánchez, known as "Pirri," former footballer and honorary president of Real Madrid, who received recognition as a Sports Legend.

Additionally, awards were given in various categories:

• Hugo Tortosa, Best Sports Coach.
• Samuel Rodríguez (paratriathlon) and Katy Hernández (adapted basketball), Special Awards for Adapted Sports.
• Azucena Díaz and Roberto Chinchilla, Sports Ambassadors of Alcobendas.
• Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid, Education and Sport Award.
• David Galindo, president of the Popular Athletics Club, Sports Values Award.
• Club Patín Alcobendas, Sports Career Award.
• Alejandro Geppert, Sport and Sustainability Award.
• KIA Spain, Collaborating Company Award.
• Diario Marca, Media Award.