Spain's most decorated Parlalympian became the first woman to receive the honour, the highest accolade for a sportsperson in the country.

The 38-year-old is an 11-time World Championship medallist and has amassed a total of 22 Paralympic medals dating back to Sydney 2000.

In total, she has six silver and 10 bronze medals while her gold medal spree began at Athens 2004 where she finished top of the podium in the S5 100 metres freestyle and 50m backstroke competitions.

She followed that up by defending her 100m freestyle title at Beijing 2008 while also adding the 50m and 200m titles in that discipline.

At London 2012, she secured a third consecutive 100m freestyle crown and was the flagbearer for the Spanish team at the Opening Ceremony.

Teresa Perales won her sixth Paralympic gold medal at London 2012 ©Getty Images



After being diagnosed with neuropathy in 1995, Perales lost the use of her legs and along with a career in sport, she has also spent time as a politician in Spain with the Aragonese Party.

She currently serves on the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletes' Council, and was part of the unsuccessful Madrid 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid team.

She was joined at the ceremony in the Zarzuela Palace by her husband Mariano Menor and son Mariano Menor Jr, while Queen Sofia and the Honorary President of National Paralympic Committee Spain, Princess Elena, were also in attendance.

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