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On Sunday, June 23, Alberto Contador was invited to the Royal Palace of Madrid as a recipient of Spain’s National Prize for Sport.According to numerous accounts in the press and the official website of His Majesty Juan Carlos, the awards ceremony was a shared event by the palace and state dignitaries to recognize athletes and organizations for outstanding achievement in sport in 2007.Those assembled at the palace were guests of King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofía, and the princesses Elena and Cristina. The Prince of Asturias was also to have been present but could not attend due to the death of his mother-in-law. The royal family hosted the affair in the Hall of Columns, and performed the ceremonial act of awarding the prizes.Present were Jaime Lissavetsky, Spain’s Secretary of State for Sport, and other dignitaries, including Madrid’s mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, the presidents of the Spanish Olympic Committee and Paralympic Committee, and the ambassador from Argentina.The list of honorees featured individual athletes of international prominence like Contador. Prizes were also give to people who disguished themselves by promoting sportsmanlike conduct, and as marks of international goodwill.Sportsman of the Year ("Premio Nacional Don Felipe de Borbón") was given to yachtsman Rafael Trujillo Villar, Sportswoman of the Year (“Premio Reina Sofía”) to middle distance runner Maria Teresa Martinez Jiménez.Contador was given the prize for Revalation of the Year ("Premio Infanta de España S.A.R. Doña Cristina") for the spectacular season which culminated in victory in the Tour de France.Don Juan Carlos concluded with a statement, in which he emphasized that “successes are not improvised. They are built by much work and much tenacity, with thorough planning and the necessary structures of support for the athlete.”He emphasized that the athletes assume the responsibility “to set an example in overcoming difficulties, therefore encouraging the best virtues of sport. Virtues that spring from the generous and shared common loyalty of teamwork, discipline and nobility, and the spirit of reaching for ever higher goals. Virtues that are, for this reason, a basic instrument for the formation and well balanced development of the person, in order to contribute to solidarity among citizens.”The king ended by congratulating the awardees, on behalf of the queen and the princesses, for “the example you have set, and for upholding the image of Spain beyond our borders.”A reception by the royal family put the finishing touch to the ceremony.http://albertocontadornotebook.info/media.html

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