The ceremony was attended by a host of Bulgarian Olympic medallists, including BOC President Stefka Kostadinova, the former high jump Olympic and world champion.

They were joined by number of leading international sports administrators led by European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Pat Hickey, who presented Plevneliev with an insignia of the EOC.

Also in attendance were Nenad Lalovic and Klaus Schormann, Presidents of United World Wrestling and the the International Modern Pentathlon respectively. 

They were joined by representatives from a number of European National Olympic Committees (NOCs), including secretary general of the Russian NOC Anastasia Davydova and vice-president of the Ukrainian NOC, Ravil Safiulin.

Bulgaria President Rosen Plevneliev (left) pictured with BOC President Stefka Kostadinova paid tribute to the role it plays in promoting the values and principles of Olympism ©BOC



Plevneliev recalled some of the great moments from Bulgaria Olympic past and highlighted the important role and contributions of the BOC in the protection of the Olympic principles before declaring: "I am proud I stand the chance to today confer this Order of Honour on the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, in the hands of Stefka Kostadinova."

Receiving the honour, Kostadinova, who still holds the women's high jump world record of 2.09 metres set at the 1987 World Championships in Rome, said: "I accept this award as a very high score for activities of the BOC over the years for its role in the preservation and dissemination of the Olympic values ​​and ideals in the country.

"Our country can be proud of its sporting achievements and its active role in the global Olympic Family.

"Thank you on behalf of all Bulgarian Olympians for the honour.

"Be sure that the BOC will continue to uphold the principles bequeathed by our ancestors and pass them on to future generations

"Please accept our sincere [thanks] on behalf of all who have contributed over the years to the reputation of [the] Olympic Movement."

European Olympic Committees President Pat Hickey (left) presented Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev with a special insignia from the EOC ©BOC



Kostadinova's win at Atlanta 1996 is one of 51 gold medals won by Bulgaria at Olympic Games since the BOC was set up in 1924.

Bulgarian athletes have won 220 medals at Summer and Winter Olympic Games, with wrestling and weightlifting contributing 16 and 12 gold medals respectively.

Bulgaria did not medal at Sochi 2014 and only collected a silver and bronze at London 2012, the first time it failed to win a gold medal since 1952 in Helsinki.

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