The first anniversary of the Podium Programme was celebrated in Madrid ©COE

The Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) has celebrated the first anniversary of its Podium Programme, which was created to support young athletes in their preparations for Rio 2016.

The scheme, run in partnership with Spanish telecommunications provider Telefónica, involves 80 athletes under the age of 23 who are aiming to compete for their country at next year's Olympic Games.

During the ceremony in Madrid, hosted by journalist María Escario, several videos of the youngsters training and competing were shown.

The event was attended by COE President Alejandro Blanco and chief executive of Telefónica José María Álvarez Pallete.

As a result of the Podium Programme’s success within the last year, 11 athletes have advanced to the ADO (Olympic Sports Association) plan, which assists Spain's top athletes and was established  by the COE in 1988 to help them prepare for the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

Addressing the athletes, Blanco said: "You have a commitment to excellence. 

“You have dreams and goals and as people have a big future where the main thing is your training.

“The project is in itself a great result, thanks to your efforts.

“Thanks for letting us make this journey by your side.”

The event was attended by Alejandro Blanco (left), COE President, and José María Álvarez Pallete (right), chief executive of Telefónica
The event was attended by Alejandro Blanco (left), COE President, and José María Álvarez Pallete (right), chief executive of Telefónica ©COE

The Podium Programme seeks to provide a pathway for young athletes to progress to senior competition.

Telefónica has provided a monthly allowance to each of the 80 youngsters since April 2014 and will continue to do so until August 2016, the month in which the Rio Olympic Games will take place.

“The life path of this programme was a challenge and a dream and today already it has been fulfilled,” said Pallete. 

“Hopefully we can open a new Podium Programme for winter sports and which can be as successful as this one.”

Under the slogan "I know what I want to be, an Olympian" the scheme is starting its second year.

During the past 12 months, Podium Programme athletes have won a total of 59 medals, including 11 golds at varying World Championships.

The 11 athletes to have advanced to the ADO plan are racewalker Alvaro Martin Uriol, gymnasts Rayderley Zapata Santana and Roxana Popa, swimmer Fátima Gallardo Carapeto, canoeist Jesús Pérez Mascó, rower Pau Franquet Monfort, taekwondo players Daniel Quesada Barrera and Jesús Tortosa Cabrera, shooter Eva Clemente del Cerro and sailors Jordi Xammar Hernandez and Joan Herp Morell.


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June 2014: New Podium Programme launched by Spanish Olympic Committee