IOC President Thomas Bach visited Madrid and awarded the Olympic Order to the President of the COE, Alejandro Blanco, praising him for his extraordinary leadership of the Olympic Movement in Spain. The Spanish Prime Minister was also in attendance.

Presenting the Olympic Order President Bach said: “With you, my dear friend, we have an outstanding ambassador, advocate and promoter of our Olympic mission of making the world a better place through sport.”

Accepting the award, President Blanco praised the IOC for its role in protecting sport. “The IOC is committed to promoting equality, the vision of constantly adapting itself to the demands of society, and to defending sport,” he said.

He went on to praise his athletes and their part in the great success of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, and reminded the audience, which included many athletes who had competed in Paris: “None of the sporting triumphs that have been achieved can be won without dreams, without values and without working together.”