Spanish triathlete wins Princess of Asturias Award for Sports

SPAIN’S most important sporting honour, the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, has this year been picked up by 33-year-old triathlete Francisco Javier Gomez Noya.

The indomitable ironman has amassed five world titles and won silver at the 2012 Olympic Games, behind Team GB’s gold medal winner Alistair Brownlee, who he will face again at this year’s games in Rio de Janeiro.

President of the jury, Abel Anto Rodrigo, said: “The jury has recognised the values of effort and perseverance in adversity, demonstrating an enormous strength and a great spirit of excellence in his career.”

The award is one of eight handed out each year by a foundation named in honor of Crown Princess Leonor, all of which recognise achievement in specific fields, including arts, literature and science. 

This year’s winners will receive their prizes at an autumn ceremony in Oviedo, capital of the principality of Asturias in northern Spain.