On the verge of a new Olympic event, this summer in Paris, the King recalled this Friday in Madrid that Barcelona'92 was "a great collective success." He said this at the tribute ceremony, organized by the Spanish Olympic Committee, to the Spanish athletes who participated in the Barcelona and Albertville '92 events, which he presided over along with Queen Letizia who, for the occasion, wore a pantsuit. red, the color of the Spanish Olympic team's clothing.
In his words, the King who spoke on a stage adorned with a giant Cobi, highlighted that the "organizational achievement", the "joined effort" and "an impressive manifestation of enthusiasm and popular appreciation", put "Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain at the top".
On the 32nd anniversary of his parade as flag bearer at the Montjuic Olympic stadium, the King evoked the emotion of the opening ceremony, the magical lighting of the cauldron and the "honor of leading the Spanish delegation." Felipe de Borbón participated in the sailing team and won a diploma; He recalled it this way: "I didn't win a medal, but something more valuable: knowing the human values on which the Games are based and that unite people from all over the world."
And beyond his participation in 1992, the King has transferred to 2024 the spirit of institutional and social unity that was experienced before and during Barcelona-92: "Today I wanted to insist that we owe this success to so many who worked hard, some many years before, so that it would be like this; so that it would be an unparalleled sporting event, a great social celebration and leave a magnificent legacy"
There has been no lack of memory for Juan Antonio Samaranch, then president of the International Olympic Committee, nor for the fact that "when Barcelona invited the world to be “friends forever”, all of Spain felt enormous pride."
Three months before the opening of the 24th Olympic Games, the King took advantage of the occasion to remember that "Paris will host the great world Olympic and Paralympic family for those unique weeks of competition, harmony and friendship, and so many human values." ...how necessary it is to preserve, care for and promote."
The event that the Spanish Olympic Committee has called this Friday is part of the tributes that the Olympic entity began to pay in 2010 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the 1960 Rome Olympic Games. Since then, they have wanted to recognize the effort, sacrifice and work of all those who paved the way and who served as an inspiration for future generations.
The event was attended by some of the athletes who formed that historic Spanish Olympic team that won 22 medals and 41 diplomas. The ceremony began with the performance of the song "Barcelona" and closed with "Friends forever."
