ODHE and the University of Castilla-La Mancha award Paralympic sport on the human rights podium

The University of Castilla-La Mancha and the Observatory of Human Rights have recognized this Thursday in Toledo eight entities for their contribution to human rights and their support to adapted sport. An event in which there has also been a recognition to nine Paralympic athletes who participated in the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024.

In the main hall of the Church of San Pedro Mártir of the University of Castilla-La Mancha, the awards ceremony was held to Paralympic athletes from Castilla-La Mancha and to institutions and entities active in the collaboration with Paralympic sport and human rights. 

Prior to the awards ceremony, Radio Marca broadcasted a live program in which Paralympic sport and human rights have been the main protagonist.

The Paralympic athletes awarded were: the athlete Melany Bergés, the guide Sergio del Campo, the triathletes Daniel Molina and Marta Francés, the cyclist Luis Miguel García Marquina, the swimmer Beatriz Lérida and the wheelchair basketball players Francisco Javier Sánchez and Ben Oliver.

The following representatives of institutions and entities have received the distinction of commitment to human rights in the field of Paralympic sport: the territorial director of Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura, Juan Luis Vidal, for Caixa Bank; the director Juan Ignacio Gallardo for Marca; managing director, Mónica Alcobendas, for the National Paraplegic Hospital of Spain; the rector Julián Garde, for the University of Castilla-La Mancha; Mayor Carlos Velázquez for Toledo City Council; President Concepción Cedillo, for the Toledo Provincial Council; General Director of Youth and Sports, Carlos Alberto Yuste, for the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha; Director of the Paralympic Relay Program, Pedro López, for the Spanish Paralympic Committee.

The event was conducted by Leonor Gallardo, vice-rector of the UCLM and member of our ODHE, and by the journalist Julián Cano. Several members of our ODHE were present at the ceremony: Francisco López, Patricio Sánchez, José Antonio Otero, Sebastián Reyna, Ricardo Martin.

The ceremony was closed by the rector of the UCLM, Julián Garde and the president of the ODHE, Mario Rigau, who highlighted the exemplary message that Paralympic athletes convey to our society and the motivation that this example can exert on young generations of athletes.