The Nautical Club honors its best athletes at its annual gala, seven of them Olympians in Paris

Up to three Olympic diplomas, the remaining participants in the French Olympic and Paralympic events, world or continental and international champions in up to five disciplines, sailing, rowing, canoeing, basketball and swimming, have paraded around the stage set up for the occasion in the social rooms of the Sevillian club, which in this way has honored its main ambassadors to exhibit potential. Taking advantage of the event, in which historical athletes of the entity have also been awarded, the so-called Olympic Nautical Gallerywhich already includes 33 representatives in 16 editions of the Games, from Rome 1960 to Paris 2024. The balance to date, one gold (Marina Alabáu in London 2012), one silver (Fernando Climent in Los Angeles 84) and 20 diplomas in a total of 48 participations.

The president of the Spanish Olympic Committee himself, Alejandro Blancodid not want to miss the event, although virtually by sending a video of recognition to the entity and its athletes for the constant successes accumulated not only in 2024, but throughout its more than seven decades of existence since it was founded. in 1952, “which makes him a reference in national and international sport.”

With the presence, among other authorities and accompanying the board of directors chaired by Cayetano García de la Borbolla Vallejofrom the delegate of Sports and Health Promotion of the Seville City Council, Silvia Pozoand the delegate of Major Festivals and the districts of Triana and Los Remedios, Manuel Alés, the rowers Javier García and Jaime Canalejo have updated their respective profiles in the Olympic Gallery of the Yacht Club after earning their second diploma, in this case with a fifth place. Likewise, the canoeist of Tunisian origin Ghailene Khattali, quarterfinalist in C1 1,000 in Paris and also present in Tokyo, has updated his honorary list.

The one who made his debut in the historic and prestigious mural of the Games was the Uruguayan rower Bruno Cetrarowho graduated from Tokyo and, already licensed by Náutico Sevilla in recent years, was a B finalist at the Paris Games in skiff. And in the female category, they have done so, after also receiving the award for the best athlete of the season, the canoeist Carolina GarciaOlympic diploma in K4 500 meters and B finalist in K2; the open water swimmer Mariale Bramont21st classified in the 10 km test in the Seine with Peru; and the helmsman Leonor Garciaranked ninth with the Spanish mixed four in the Paralympic Games.

Among the other winners at the Seville Yacht Club Sports Festival were the technicians and partners present at the Paris Games in different national delegations or in the referee team, five in total, as ‘Special Mentions’. The protagonists were Borja Carracedocoach of the Austrian representative in the iQFoil sailing class; German Garciacoach of Ghailene Khattali; Emilio Garciacoach of Mariale Bramont; Thomas Juradophysiotherapist of the Spanish rowing team; and Daniel Gutiérrez Praenarowing judge-referee at the Paralympic Games.

The remaining special mentions fell, as sponsors and for their special promotion and collaboration with the sport of the Seville club, to the Municipal Sports Institute and the Technical Swimming company. And in the solidarity section, the inclusive initiative ‘A run los Leikers’ stood out, through which a group of canoeists collaborates in the sports insertion of people with some type of disability.

A wide range of distinctions

For the rest, the ‘Sports Section Awards’ highlighted the double world and one-time European windsurfing champion Olivia Sanchez Moralthe pre-Olympic international rower Daniel Gutierrez, the double bronze world u23 canoeing Carlos Garciathe basketball player Marc Rioschampion with the Primera Nacional Nautical Club, promoted to Tercera FEB; and the swimmer José María Jaimenational finalist.

In the ‘Best Promising Athlete’ section, the sailor was awarded in the male category. Miguel Angel CervantesAndalusian champion of the Optimist class; the rower Rafael Bejaranochampion and runner-up of Spain; the paddler Alvaro Pedrosachampion of Spain cadet, and swimmer Alejandro Escolanoparticipant in the National Children’s Swimming Championship. And in the women’s category, the double Andalusian sailing champion in the ILCA class Beatriz Serranothe shirt Lidia Floridowho has attended the World Cup and the Junior European Championship; the paddler Elena Gómez-Millánsixth in the absolute World Cup in C2; the basketball player Alicia Camachorunner-up in Spain for children with Andalusia and champion of Andalusia with Náutico; and the swimmer Marta Díaz-Jargüínfour-time Spanish junior champion.

In the ‘Best Team’ section, the sailing representatives in the Optimist class were distinguished, with numerous podiums in the Andalusian Championships and Cups; the international shirts Olivia del Castillo and Rocío Laóchampions of Spain and present in the pre-Olympic Regatta, where they were one place away from a ticket for the Games; the Spanish canoeing champions Pablo de Cárdenas and Jorge Juliáthe children’s women’s basketball team, provincial champion, champion of Andalusia and eighth in the Spanish Championship; and the Benjamin women’s swimming team, champion of Andalusia.

Finally, the ‘Legends Awards’, awarded to athletes who for their achievements were named Honorary Members of the Club and therefore are part of the historical memory of the Náutico, recognized those who achieved such distinction in 1962, six members of the canoeing section and two rowers: Antonio Garay Cerrejón, Salvador García Gutiérrez, Ángel Alonso Leal Díaz, Rafael Mañas Frías, José Martínez Lora, Juan Antonio Peña Torres, Pepa Rubio Navarro and María del Carmen Torres del Olmo.