The ceremony rewarded the medallists from the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China as well as the Central American and Caribbean Sports Games, held in Veracruz, Mexico, and COG President Gerardo Aguirre thanked Blanco for his collaborative work in the development of sport across Guatemala.

Guatemala achieved two bronze medals at Nanjing2014  and they returned from the Central American and Caribbean Sports Games with a haul of 77 medals, including 15 gold.

Blanco received his award from Vice President of the Guatemalan Olympic Committee, Juan Carlos Sagastume, while brother of late Pan-American Sports Organisation (PASO) President Mario Vazquez Rana, and Carlos Padilla, President of the Mexican Olympic Committee were also in attendance.

The COE President was in Guatemala to work with various organisations in the country in order to help them deal with issues relating to management within the fields of sport and Olympism.

The two countries are involved in a Foundation Friends of Olympic Sport programme, which was also praised by Aguirre at the ceremony.

Guatemala's frst ever Olympic medallist, walker Erick Barrondo, was among those honoured at a special ceremony following his gold medal at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Sports Games in Veracruz ©Getty Images

Guatemala clinched their first-ever Olympic medal at London 2012 as Erick Barrondo took silver in the men's 20 kilometres walk.

He also won the gold medal in the 50km walk at last year's Central American and Caribbean Sports Games. 

Blanco was involved in Madrid's failed bid to host the 2020 Olympic Games as the Spanish capital lost out to Tokyo, which was chosen at the 125th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina in September 2013.

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