NEVEN ILIC RE-UNITES PARALYMPIAN WITH HISTORIC MEDAL

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Despite the fact that it was a very special gift, Neven Ilic chose to return the medal to the first Chilean Paralympic Champion in history, Cristian Valenzuela, who gave it to him in 2012 in gratitude for everything he did for him and Paralympic sport in Chile.

“After 11 years, I’d like to return this medal that belongs to you. It has been in my office like a treasure, but I think it is time for you to have it,” said Panam Sports President Neven Ilic.

On September 7, 2012, the whole country of Chile celebrated one of the most important milestones in its sporting history. At the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Cristian Valenzuela made history by winning the gold medal in the 5000m (T11 class) race with a spectacular performance.

It was an unprecedented moment since a Chilean athlete had never won a gold medal at the Paralympic Games.

When he returned home to Santiago, Chile’s new sporting idol and advocate for Paralympic sport and Paralympic athletes went to the office of the Chilean Olympic Committee President at the time, Neven Ilic. The idea for the visit came from the gratitude Valenzuela had for the Chilean leader’s efforts to help him and his fellow athletes who competed in London. In order to thank him for his efforts, Cristian Valenzuela decided to present him with the medal he had earned in the English capital.

“This excites me. [Cristian Valenzuela] came to my office and told me: here I bring you the gold medal that I won and I bring it as a gift,” said Neven Ilic during the recording of the “Generation of Change” program produced by Santiago 2023 Sponsor, Antofagasta Minerals.

After the interview, Ilic took the medal out of his jacket and invited Cristian into the recording studio where everyone could witness the surprise. “I have enjoyed having this medal in my office for 10 years, showing it off and feeling proud. But here we have Cristian Valenzuela, the real owner of this medal, and after more than 10 years it’s time the medal comes back to you.”

After an emotional hug between the two, Cristian Valenzuela took the microphone and emotionally gave his opinion of this unforgettable moment.

“I really didn’t expect it. We had a big problem in 2012. We didn’t have the chance to compete in the Paralympic Games in London. And I dared to knock on his door and ask him to please help me and my colleagues participate. And Don Neven took care of all the necessary international procedures so that for the first time we, as Paralympic athletes, we could compete. And that medal was the result,” said Valenzuela.

“Therefore, this medal is also a part of you, Neven. I feel it from the bottom of my heart, I have enormous respect for you. Mainly because you gave me the opportunity to win this medal. And always, every day of my life I will be eternally grateful for that effort, because you allowed me to achieve one of the most important dreams of my life,” concluded the athlete.

An incredible story of friendship and mutual admiration, of two men who have dedicated a large part of their lives to sport.

WATCH THE VIDEO OF THIS EMOTIONAL MOMENT BELOW