On 12 December at the Goyeneche auditorium of the Spanish NOC, a ceremony was held to pay tribute to Conrado Durántez, the founder and former President of the Spanish Olympic Academy and founding President of the Pan-Iberic Association of Olympic Academies.

He is also Honorary President of the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee, and was its President from 1990 to 2001. Besides Mr Durántez’s family and friends, presidents of Spanish federations and representatives of 22 Olympic Studies Centres attended the ceremony.

In recognition of over 60 years devoted to the Olympic Movement and passing on the values of Olympism, the NOC awarded Mr Durántez its highest honour, the Olympic Order, which was presented by NOC President Alejandro Blanco.