The gathering, which was organised in conjunction with Spain's most widely distributed sports newspaper MARCA, was designed to pay tribute to over 50 of the country's athletes that secured a medal at the Barcelona 1992 Games.

The event, which was headed by COE President Alejandro Blanco and MARCA's director Óscar Campillo, saw a number of Spanish Olympic legends discuss Madrid 2020, including Pérez, who won gold with the Spanish football national team at the Games 20 years ago.

"The time has come, but not only for Madrid," said Pérez who represented both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona in a stellar career.

"Hosting the Games once more would be a great opportunity for Spain.

"In fact, we are ready for it, as we have already shown with our previous bids."

Madrid is bidding to host the Summer Olympics for the third time in succession, following unsuccessful bids for 2012 and 2016, which were awarded to London and Rio de Janeiro respectively.

Former sailor Theresa Zabell (pictured left with fellow sailor and Barclona 1992 gold medallist Patricia Guerra), another Barcelona 1992 champion who is now the international relations chief executive of the Madrid 2020 bid, used the gathering to claim that Madrid could use the 2020 Games to recover from the current economic crisis that is hurting the country.

It was this same crisis that forced Rome to withdraw from the 2020 bid race last month but Zabell believes that a winning bid would actually be a huge benefit for the economy.

"Our Government is aware of the fact that bringing the Games to Madrid is not an expense," she said.

"It is actually a long-term investment in legacy, enthusiasm and employment."

Conchita Martínez, a tennis silver medallist at Barcelona 1992, was another to pledge her support to the Madrid bid.

"I think Madrid has everything," she said.

"It's a wonderful city which deserve the Olympic Games.

"It will always have my support.

"I wish this dream comes true so in 2040 some other athletes can celebrate the success as we are doing today."

Judo, athletics, water polo, field hockey, and boxing were some of the sports represented at the event.

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