The Olympic Committee of Portugal (COP) and the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) signed a Sports Cooperation Protocol with the aim of strengthening the sports systems of both countries by sharing knowledge, facilities, and resources in areas of common interest.

“This protocol is a step toward the future,” said Fernando Gomes, President of the COP. “It is proof that when vision, trust, and a sense of mission come together, sport gains scale, quality, and public utility.” Fernando Gomes defined this moment as strategic and valued the cooperation felt with his Spanish counterpart, considering that “the proximity between Portugal and Spain in sports is natural, useful, and has the potential to produce concrete results for our two Olympic Movements.” The goal of the agreement will be to leverage the work of Portuguese and Spanish sports agents because “it is for them, and with them, that Olympism exists.”

Alejandro Blanco, President of the Spanish Olympic Committee, highlighted the importance of sport in today’s world, considering it a “beacon that illuminates all of society.” For Blanco, this protocol will allow sport to assert itself as “a point of understanding, a point of union, and a point of exaltation of the heart when we talk about our countries,” which will bring benefits so that “athletes have increasing success, but also so that more and more people practice sport and understand the advantages of sport for health.”

The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of Spain to Portugal, Juan Fernandez Trigo, who considered the protocol “natural and timely” due to the “geographical proximity and deep historical and cultural ties” that enhance opportunities for cooperation and institutional understanding, seeing sport as a force “capable of overcoming borders and differences.”

Following the signing of the agreement, a debate was also held regarding the sporting relationship between Portugal and Spain, which in many cases is already established and consistent. Catarina Monteiro, an Olympic swimmer, moderated the round table and managed the conversation, drawing on the different perspectives brought by the guests.