«Being here today is much more exciting than on a world championship podium»

After an emotional recognition video starring numerous colleagues and friends in which a host of values ​​of the manager and athlete Fernando Riaño have been highlighted, the vice president of the International Union of the Blind has collected the distinction of Illustrious Riojano. “I feel very honored and, also, very excited, but it is more difficult and much more exciting to be here today than on a podium at a world championship,” said Riaño as soon as he received the distinction from the president of the regional Executive. , Gonzalo Capellán.

As soon as he began his speech, the director of Institutional Relations and Sustainability of the ONCE Social Group emphasized two words that have structured his entire speech: gratitude and recognition. Two words with which, in fact, he has referred to the people, entities and institutions awarded in recent years and to all those who, in his opinion, are “essential.” Among them, he pointed out, are the health workers who were on the front line of battle during the first moments of the pandemic, Jesús Gayoso, the armed forces and security forces, the universities… or the four members of the GAR (like Eneko , Juan Jesús, Miguel and David) who “lost their lives for others.” For all of them he has asked for the greatest applause.

Very modest, Riaño, from the lectern set up in the Main Refectory of the Yuso Monastery, also acknowledged before the more than 200 attendees at the institutional event that this award constitutes “a totally undeserved honor” and, for that, he thanked “from the heart” to all the people who have thought that I am worthy of this recognition. Thank you infinitely for your generosity. During his intervention he has not forgotten his parents, his wife and his children, nor two “exemplary” entities, such as the Once Social Group and the CERMI.

Glosses and high speed

The sportsman did not want to finish his speech without highlighting the important role of the Glosas in the development of Spanish. «Our Glosses, in addition to the origin of our language, are the best example and paradigm of accessibility. “They collected the first notes that were used at that time so that everyone, even those who did not know the language or had barriers, understood the new language that was being formed and that all people understood what was learned from Latin,” he said. detailed.

Something good, he added, “for people with and without disabilities. Some Glosses that left here and that will return, as is the case with accessibility or rights. The closeness will also be greater and in line with the times if we have high speed and greater frequency, elements on which we all agree, with unanimity and consensus. Immediately afterwards, he stated that “we will always be thinking about La Rioja, knowing where we are and that there are always many things to do, in a land that is always a reason for motivation, excitement and thinking about an exciting future project for everyone.” .

Mozart, The Beatles or Taylor Swift

The winner also wanted to extend his gratitude to the rest of the Riojans and entities that have received the highest institutional distinction. And he has done so, especially, addressing first of all the ceramist Rafael Pérez, of whom he has said that “being on the same stage with him is like being with Mozart, The Beatles or Taylor Swift.” Riaño, a few moments later, also highlighted the award that the Rioja Federation of Municipalities (FRM) has received, a recognition “for municipalism, for the policy of proximity, for closeness, at the site, as a neighbor or from any circumstance, of what really matters.