AS pays tribute to the year of wonders

Sports stars, champions past and present, CEOs, senior executives, agents, and top performers... the AS Sports Awards Gala, held last night was the fourth such outing for the event and was as glittering as ever, and a celebration of the best year ever for Spanish sport. Champions such as the Spanish national football team, Nadal, Lorenzo and Marquez were honored, while Forlan and Gento receive received lifetime achievement awards.

The event was held at the Palacio de Congresos Campo de las Naciones in Madrid, which was decked out in red carpets and wrapped in cellophane for the occasion. First to arrive was Miguel Angel Revilla, President of Cantabria, and responsible for giving the award to his fellow countryman Paco Gento. Also on the red carpet, among a blaze of flashbulbs, were countless celebrities, some sporting awards medals, others smiles, and couture frocks and suits. The crowd went wild with the arrival of Del Bosque and Casillas, coach and captain of our World Cup dream team, and wilder still with the arrival of Jorge Lorenzo. Marc Marquez grinned broadly, and Rafael Nadal was the last to appear in the spotlight.

Paco Gento was warmly greeted by Alfredo Relaño, AS editor-in-chief, and Ignacio Díez, manager of the newspaper. Manuel Polanco, PRISA Chief; Florentino Perez, Real Madrid president; Enrique Cerezo, President of Atletico de Madrid; Jaime Lissavetzky, Secretary of State for Sport were joined by an enthusiastic public, presidents of clubs, athletes, footballers, cyclists and representatives from companies such as Iberdrola, Renfe, the state lottery, Bezoya, Repsol and Barcelona World Race, sponsors of the event and of sports.

The Gala kicked off at 9pm with dancing from Fame and the song Waka-Waka, the soundtrack of Spain's triumph in South Africa. Other entertainment included comedy from Crackovia and tricks from Jorge Luengo, while music was provided by Macaco, El Pescao and Carlos Baute.

In short, a memorable night to cap a memorable year for Spanish sport.

Source: AS