Image of the distinguished sportsmen and women and the authorities who took part in the event. Author: Javier Sánchez/RFESS
Three lifesaving legends receive Olympic Laurels and the International Federation honours seven leaders
The COE recognises the careers of the sportsmen and women and the ILS for its work in drowning prevention.
Three lifesaving legends have received the Olympic Laurel, awarded by the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE), in a ceremony held in the Royal Stables of Cordoba in which seven sports leaders have been distinguished with the Citation of Merit by the International Life Saving Federation (ILS) for their work in the prevention of drowning.
The COE distinction recognises Olympic or non-Olympic sportsmen and women who have been proclaimed World Champions or equivalent in the absolute category at least three times.
Fernando del Villar Cuerda and María Luengas Mengual, on four occasions in each case, and María Teresa Paredes Fargas, on three occasions, have been World Champion or World Champion in various events.
Villar has been in four different events between 2004 and 2006. He won the World Championships in the 100m combined and 4×50m hurdles swimming (Viareggio -Italy-, in 2004) and 50m manikin tow (Geelongo-Austalia-, 2006) and in the 4×25m manikin tow at the World Games (Duisburg-Germany-, 2005).
María Luengas Mengual, María Teresa Paredes Fargas and Fernando del Villar Cuerda, together with Isabel García Sanz, president of the Management Commission of the Royal Spanish Lifesaving Federation and vice-president of the COE, after receiving the Olympic Laurel. Author: Javier Sánchez/RFESS
María Luengas won three gold medals in the same event, 100m lifeguard, in Adelaide (Australia), 2012, Montpellier (France), 2014 and Eindhoven (Netherlands), 2016. In addition, in the 2012 Australian edition she won a second gold in the 100m manikin tow with fins.
María Teresa Paredes won the 150 metres in Vittel (France) in 1972, in Barcelona in 1974 and in Berlin (Germany) in 1976.
The ILS Citation of Merit was presented to the Director of the Spanish Lifesaving and Rescue School, Alberto García Sanz; the Director of Events and Management of the Spanish Federation, Ana Domínguez Pachón; the Director of the Cabinet of the Presidency of the Spanish Federation, Álvaro Vega Cid; the President of Club Deportivo Salvasur, José Aguilar Delgado; the President of the Castilla y León Federation, Alberto Retuerto Marqués; the President of the Cantabria Federation, Javier Odriozola Sánchez; and the Head of the School of the Valencian Community Federation, Salvador Perelló Marín.
The ILS also recognised the work of the Federation’s president, Manuel Esteban, who was unable to attend the event.
The awards and distinctions were presented by the President of the Management Commission of the Royal Spanish Lifesaving and Rescue Federation, Isabel García Sanz, who was accompanied by Ingy El Shazly, member of the Board of Directors of the International Lifesaving and Rescue Federation and President of the ILS Africa Region; Claire Ann Alonso, member of the Executive Committee of the International; and Alexandre Manuel Tadeia Mesquita, president of the Portuguese Federation of Lifesaving and Rescue Swimmers (FEPONS) and vice-president of Prevention and Research of the Latin American Federation of Lifesaving and Rescue (FLASS).
The event was also attended by the first deputy mayor of Cordoba City Council, Blanca Torrent; the commander of the General Corps Officers Scale of the Air Force and Space, representing the sub-delegate of Defence; David García Ruiz-Cátedra; and the president of Cordoba Equestrian, Rafael Blanco.
The event was held as part of the fourth edition of the International Congress on Drowning Prevention #CIPREA2024, which was held in Cordoba from last Friday until Sunday.
