An example of constancy and sacrifice

3/9/98
The Spanish tennisplayer Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, present Roland Garros champion, was awarded the Príncipe de Asturias for Sport 1998 Award, a 5 million pesetas prize, after ‘defeating’ the American basketplayer Michael Jordan in the final by 16 votes to six.

According to the official minutes of the jury, presided by the president of the IOC, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Arantxa won thanks to this: “as a asportswoman, she is an example of constancy and sacrifice and a model to follow by all the professionals” Besides, the minutes of the jury remarked the humane conditions of the catalan player, “who has founded a foundation of help for young players, case no frequent among the stars of sport” The jury, which was formed by the Duchess of Badajoz, Pilar de Borbón; the Secretary of State for Sport, Santiago Fisas; the president of the Spanish Olympic Commitee (COE), Carlos Ferrer Salat; and the ex -cyclist Miguel Indurain, among others, met at the Reconquista Hotel in Oviedo, deliberating from 9 a.m.

At the beginning of the act, there was a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the air-crash last night in Canada, with over 200 deaths.

Among the 24 candidates who could get the award, the jury chose 5, the golfer Jack Niklaus, the pilot Carlos Sainz, the athlete Fermín Cacho and the finalists at the end, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario and Michael Jordan. After nine votes, the catalan tennisplayer won by 16 to six.

The Spanish Sport, strengthened. At the end of the act, the five-time Tour de France champion, the Spaniard Miguel Indurain, recognised how difficult it had been to choose one of the candidates. “We have to notice that we are talking about sportspeople of the elite, and it has been very difficult to eliminate some names” However, Indurain added that the Spanish Sport is strengthened with this election.”As sportswoman, Arantxa is an excellent professional, because being on the top for such a long time isn’t easy”, he said.

Juan Antonio Samaranch said that Arantxa Sánchez Vicario is a sportswoman with wonderful values, which made her win. “Her capacity of sacrifice is incredible, and also her moral values” “She is a very serious and responsible person, and she’s the Spanish sportswoman with most level in the history talking about sports. This award shows the great development of the Spanish sport”, he concluded.

Arantxa: “It´s the best recognition of my career after so many years of sacrifice”
The Spanish tennisplayer Arantxa Sánchez Vicario was very satisfied after receiving this award. “It’s the best recognition of my career and all these years of sacrifice” Before playing her match in the US Open against the Colombian Fabiola Zuluaga, Arantxa said that she was very happy. “This award helps me to try even more to win this tournament” she affirmed.

Santiago Fisas: “It’s a recognition to all the Sánchez Vicario saga”

The secretary of Sport, Santiago Fisas, explained that the award received by Arantxa Sánchez Vicario is a recognition to her family, due to the succes that also Emilio and Javier got. “The Sánchez Vicario saga has done a lot for tennis and the Spanish sport in general, and this award is a recognition to everyone, although specially to Arantxa, due to her sport and humane qualities”, said Fisas. The secretary of State for Sport emphasised the tenacity, fight and capacity of getting victories with sportsmanship and simplicity” Fisas also referred to the ‘valuable’ role of Arantxa in the Foundation in help for young players, as another of the reasons that made her defeat the American basketplayer Michael Jordan.
Carlos Ferrer Salat: “She’s the Spanish sportswoman with the best results”

The president of the COE, Carlos Ferrer Salat, said that Arantxa Sánchez Vicario is the Spanish sportswoman with the best results, and said that for the Príncipe de Asturias Award, they also valued her humane qualities. “Arantxa is one of the best tennisplayers in the world, and besides, has got wonderful moral values. She’s a serious, responsible girl, she has the qualities that are expected of a great sportsperson”, said Ferrer Salat.

Remembering Lilí Álvarez: The president of the COE remembered Lilí Álvarez, one of the best Spanish tennisplayers, who died recently. “She played three Wimbledon finals, something unbeliavable recently. Arantxa has got several Grand Slams, and this shows the enormous development of sport for women in Spain”