H.R.H. Infanta Elena, Fernando Belasteguín, Danys Báez, and Alejandro Blanco took center stage at the second edition of the awards, which cement Madrid’s status as a major hub for Ibero-American sports.
As part of the Sports Summit Madrid, the Spanish capital hosted the second edition of the Gloria Ibero-American Sports Awards on Wednesday, a gala that brought together some of the most prominent figures, institutions, and organizations in the international sports ecosystem to recognize those who, from various fields, contribute to elevating sports and expanding its impact on society.
Held at the MOM Culinary Institute on the opening day of the Sports Summit Madrid, the awards honored exemplary careers and initiatives capable of generating real impact in areas such as personal achievement, inclusion, innovation, sustainability, leadership, and sports legacy.
Hosted by Cuban actress Laura Ramos, the ceremony began with a celebration of sports as a force capable of uniting cultures, inspiring generations, and leaving a mark far beyond competition, setting the tone for an evening that combined institutional recognition, international exposure, and big names in Ibero-American sports.
The first award of the night went to the Alberto Contador Foundation, which received the Gloria Award for Inspiration and Overcoming Adversity in Sports. Mariano de Paco Serrano, the Regional Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Sports for the Community of Madrid, presented the award to Alberto Contador, recognizing the foundation’s work in training young cyclists and instilling values such as hard work, discipline, and resilience.
The former Spanish cyclist expressed his gratitude for the recognition, highlighting the educational and social work his foundation has been promoting for over a decade:
“We launched the project in 2011 with the goal of giving back to society everything I was receiving at that time. Cycling instilled in me values that are very important not only for sports, but also for whatever you choose to do in life. Values such as pushing yourself to excel, sacrifice, camaraderie, and getting back up after a fall… Thank you for this recognition; it truly means a lot to us.”
One of the highlights of the gala was the presentation of the Gloria Award for Values and Sports to Special Olympics. The president of the Higher Sports Council, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, presented the award to H.R.H. Infanta Doña Elena and Miguel Sagarra, representing the organization. The Infanta’s presence underscored the institutional significance of an award that highlighted decades of work toward the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities through sports.
During his remarks, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes emphasized the transformative role of sports and initiatives that promote social inclusion. The CSD president emphasized the importance of creating opportunities that allow everyone to develop their potential and feel like an active part of society:
“There are victories that aren’t measured in medals; they’re measured in confidence, self-esteem, and the assurance of feeling part of something human. The organization we’re honoring has helped people with intellectual disabilities find their space for growth.”
Infanta Elena wished to highlight the growth and visibility that inclusive sports have gained in recent years. On behalf of Special Olympics, she expressed gratitude for the recognition received and reaffirmed her commitment to the project’s future development:
“It is a source of pride and an honor to raise the profile of sports for people with disabilities through our organization, Special Olympics. We are very pleased with the work that has been done and hope that it will continue to grow and become even more visible in the future.”
The commitment to a more inclusive vision of high-performance sports continued with the Gloria Award for Commitment to Inclusion and Diversity in Sports, presented to the International Paralympic Committee. Luis Socias presented the award to Fernando Riaño, a member of the IPC Governing Board, in recognition of the work of an institution that has played a decisive role in changing global perceptions of disability through sports.
Next, former Olympic gymnast Almudena Cid received the GLORIA Award for Awareness, Education, and Training in Sports, in recognition of her outreach efforts and her advocacy for the emotional well-being and holistic development of athletes, from Raquel Alía, president of the MADCUP Foundation.
In one of the most personal speeches of the night, Almudena Cid shared her thoughts on the legacy that sports leave behind beyond competition.
“I hung up my leotards 18 years ago, and it seems incredible to me that I’m still being recognized. When you’ve been a role model in sports, you feel the need to continue being one. Inspiring young people with the conviction that you can help bring about change is something that has always driven me. This award comes during a week that hasn’t been easy for me personally, and I needed a boost to tell myself, ‘Almu, you’re doing well.’ I’m especially grateful for the timing of this recognition.”
The gala continued with recognition of the social and economic impact of sports. Martín Lorenzo presented the Gloria Award for Economic and Social Development of a Region through Sporting Events to the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation, accepted by its executive director, Juan Miguel Gómez, in recognition of its decisive contribution to positioning the Valencian Community as one of Europe’s major sports hubs.
The Gloria Award for Teamwork was presented to the River Plate Foundation; its secretary general, Felipe Llorente, accepted the award from Wenceslao Bunge Saravia, the Argentine ambassador to Spain, highlighting the social and educational impact of one of Latin America’s most influential sports organizations.
The Public Initiative for Sports Development Award was presented to Peru and Argentina. Fernando Cáceres presented the award to Sergio Ludeña, president of the Peruvian Institute of Sports, while Sebastián Lateulade presented the award to Diógenes de Urquiza, undersecretary of sports for the Argentine government, underscoring the strategic role of public policies in the development of high-performance sports.
Innovation and the future of the sector also played a prominent role in the ceremony. Miguel Ángel Benzal Alía and Javier Sotomayor presented the GLORIA Award for Transformative Initiative in Sports to WOW FC, accepted by Arturo Guillén. Subsequently, José Ortiz and Belén Lara honored the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) with the GLORIA Award for Environmental Sustainability in Sports, accepted by May Peus.
The segment dedicated to the future of sports culminated with the GLORIA Award for Innovation and Technology in Sports, presented to Amazon Web Services (AWS). María Guadalupe Benzal Alía and Giba presented the award to Suzana Cusic, highlighting the role of technology, artificial intelligence, and advanced data analysis in the evolution of high-performance sports.
The final stretch of the gala was reserved for the awards with the greatest symbolic significance. Arantxa Sánchez Vicario presented the Gloria Award for Ibero-American Sports Legend to Fernando Belasteguín, whose career—sixteen consecutive years as world number one and more than 230 titles—has made him an essential figure in the history of padel and one of the main driving forces behind its international expansion.
With the serenity that comes from a legendary career and the humility of someone who never stops learning, Fernando Belasteguín expressed his gratitude for this recognition, which comes shortly after his retirement. The Pehuajó native reflected on the sacrifices, lessons learned, and people who shaped his career:
“I played professional sports for 30 years, and now I’m enjoying everything I did. I was always obsessed with learning and improving, but there were still many things left for me to learn. In the year and a half since I retired, I’ve been really enjoying the recognition, but above all, I’m enjoying being able to look into the eyes of my family—the one I left behind in Argentina and the one I built in Spain—with the peace of mind that comes from knowing I gave it my all.”
“All these accolades are thanks to the good fortune I’ve had throughout my career to have Juan Martín Díaz and Pablo Lima by my side during the 16 years I was ranked number one in the world—players who were just as good as or even better than me.”
Enrique Cerezo presented the second award in this category to Danys Báez. The former Cuban pitcher, a 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star, was recognized for a historic career in the Major Leagues and for establishing himself as one of the leading figures in Ibero-American sports in the United States.
Danys Báez used his remarks to emphasize that the true impact of an athlete goes far beyond results. The former Cuban pitcher highlighted the responsibility borne by those who become role models for new generations and the importance of instilling values through sports:
“Being a professional athlete isn’t just about wearing a uniform. It involves a responsibility in sports—not only to ourselves, but also to future athletes. Values such as discipline and perseverance must serve as an example for all those generations who watch and admire us. I ask all athletes to continue helping, sharing, and making a difference.”
The grand finale of the evening was reserved for Alejandro Blanco. In a gesture steeped in symbolism, two Olympic legends—Javier Sotomayor and Giba—presented the president of the Spanish Olympic Committee with the Gloria Award for Ibero-American Sports Legend in the Leadership category.
The award recognized more than two decades of leadership at the helm of the Spanish Olympic Committee and his role as one of the most influential figures in international sports management. The presentation by fellow Olympians reinforced the symbolic nature of the moment and served as the institutional finale to the gala.
Visibly moved, Alejandro Blanco accepted the award, highlighting not only the prize itself but also the significance of those who presented it and the people with whom he shares it. The president of the Spanish Olympic Committee took the opportunity to emphasize the role of sports as a tool for uniting countries and cultures:
“I think this is one of the happiest days of my life. It has been a happy day because throughout life you receive many honors, but what matters is who bestows them upon you—and this organization is a global example; who is presenting it to me: two Olympic champions and legends; and with whom I share it: with great figures in sports—from the present, the past, and also the future.
And for me, this award has a very special significance, since ever since I became president of the COE, I have relied on Ibero-America. I am a firm believer that through sports we can unite peoples and create a legacy—even more so with those with whom we share a language, culture, and tradition. We can do a great deal for global sports if we manage to share the same goal and are able to walk the same path. Our commitment is to build a better world through sports. Thank you for these unforgettable moments.”
The ceremony concluded with a large group photo on stage, bringing together award recipients, presenters, and officials in an image that encapsulated the spirit of the Gloria Awards: a gathering of generations, disciplines, and countries united by a shared conviction—that sport transcends competition to become a powerful tool for cohesion, inspiration, and progress.
