The 67-year-old, who is also Colombia's Sport's Minister and head of Coldeportes, the nation's National Sport Institute, received the prestigious "El Colombiano Ejemplar" (Outstanding Citizen Award) – one of the highest regarded awards in Colombia - for his exceptional contributions to sport.

Last month Botero Phillipsbourne and his team successfully took Medellín, the second largest city in Colombia, through to the final three of the bid contest to host the next Youth Olympic Games in 2018 - an outstanding achievement for the city once the centre of the country's drug trade and home to the infamous Medellín Cartel.

"I am deeply honoured to receive this award," said Botero Phillipsbourne at a gala ceremony in Medellín.

"But this is much more about the story of what sport means to Colombia.

"Sport plays such a key role in society, and has helped to push the social transformation that has happened in our country.

"There is no better example of the power of sport than right here in Medellín, where our investment in sport has had a direct impact in changing the lives of our young people."

Botero Phillipsbourne, who was appointed as an IOC member in 2007 at the IOC's 119th Session, is a highly respected sports leader serving eight years as former President of the International Water Ski Federation and past President of the Colombian Olympic Committee for three terms where he helped set up the 2010 South American Games.

The South American has also had an active involvement in waterskiing, both as a competitor and coach, and competed at the 1972 Munich Games, when water skiing was a demonstration sport, finishing in 12th position in the slalom category.

He was also for ten years running, the national skiing champion in slalom and ski jumping and river jet ski world champion.

The award follows a remarkable list of achievements for the Colombian after he was gifted as an Honorary Citizen from the City of Cuenca, Ecuador in 2006, followed by being named the Sports Official of the Year-Colombia in 2006; and furthermore being added to the Hall of Fame for the International Water Ski Federation in 2007.

London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Mariana Pajón also won the Outstanding Citizen Award

Also prized with the Outstanding Citizen Award was Colombian World Champion BMX cyclist Mariana Pajón, who carried her country's flag at the London 2012 Olympics before bringing home their only gold medal of the Games.

"This is more than just bringing home medals to Colombia," explained Pajón, who is also an ambassador for the city's bid for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games

"We are trying to be an example for others and to leave a legacy behind for the development of sport in this country.

"Sport has such a big impact on Colombian people and we are committed to continuing this effort."

The annual awards are sponsored by national newspaper El Colombiano as part of the media organisation's social responsibility to recognise Colombians' important service to their country both domestic and internationally.

The award recognises contributions in the areas such as solidarity, culture, environment, sport, tourism, science, technology, and economics.

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