• Full Speech by the President of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales

No one achieves greatness alone, not even a long-distance runner. Behind every successful sporting journey, there is always someone who, at some point, offered their understanding and unconditional support.

Especially when victory, as is often the case, comes after a series of obstacles and defeats—defeats that so often seem to be orphans, unlike triumphs that are quickly embraced by many.

This sense of collective passion and solidarity is one of the countless sources of inspiration that transcends stadiums, courts, and tracks, whether they are grand arenas under the watchful eye of millions or humble neighborhood courts echoing the bounce of a ball against walls and floors.

These examples endure long after the roar of the crowd fades or the lights of the training grounds go out. Because, as Jorge Luis Borges reminded us, “when the players are gone, when time has consumed them, the ritual will certainly not have ended.”

To speak of sports is to speak of its values—and of the capacity and responsibility we have to bring those values into society and our daily interactions.

In this way, we can become a stronger, more united team. A solidity built on a sense of belonging and belief in the principles of equality and respect—principles that are more necessary than ever in times when attackers seek to tear down the defenses of democracy, unbothered by the rules of the game.

Today, more than ever, we need examples of perseverance, fraternity, inclusion, respect for tradition, and the spirit that has allowed us to advance in rights. The individuals being honored with these Canary Islands Sports Awards clearly embody these values.

I sincerely believe that having them among us and observing their example is a reward for society as a whole, particularly for the Canary Islands people.

You also know that Canarian and Gran Canarian sports are extensions of this land’s history, universality, evolution, adaptability, resilience, and nobility.

Island society and sports reflect one another in a constant interplay of mutual inspiration.

This is evident in traditional sports that take us back in time, like *lucha canaria*, which grounds itself in the sand and the pre-Hispanic past.

Or in the case of a football team like Unión Deportiva Las Palmas, born of unity and resistance against centralist forces that sought to block its entry into the national competition.

Or in *vela latina*, propelled by ancient and modern winds thanks to its deep roots.

Nelson Mandela once said, “Sport has the power to change the world and unite people in a way few other things can.” We must do everything possible to ensure this statement doesn’t become an empty phrase—for example, by rejecting any manifestation or act that undermines the dignity of individuals or the diversity that enriches us all.

Reflecting on history, we see that sports have often broken down walls of hatred. This was evident in the embrace between athlete Jesse Owens and German Lutz Long at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, held amidst a storm of exclusion, division, and authoritarianism.

Or in the image that captured global attention in 1967—a group of men forcibly removing a woman from a marathon, preventing her from finishing a race then closed to women. Time and again, sports have opened our eyes and prepared us to confront injustice.

I want to use this forum to emphasize that, beyond elite sports competitions, away from the media spotlight, sports practice serves as a fundamental pillar of public health.

It is also an indicator of societal well-being and plays a critical role in shaping younger generations.

For this reason, improving and expanding sports spaces and supporting grassroots teams and disciplines with less mass appeal has been and continues to be a fundamental goal for the Cabildo of Gran Canaria.

At the same time, we also strive to show the world that we can host the World Rally Championship, be a venue for the FIFA World Cup, or host the Copa del Rey in basketball. We have teams and athletes competing at the highest European and global levels.

As I near the finish line, I am reminded of Haruki Murakami, the writer who crafts his sentences while running. In his book *What I Talk About When I Talk About Running*, he delves into the feeling of solitude and the friendships and experiences fostered through sports.

For my part, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to address you tonight and to participate in this event honouring talent, but above all, the human will keep trying, time and again. It is in that determination that the greatest victory lies.

Finally, I want to reference the legend of the Luz de Mafasca, which weaves through the narrative of this gala, to recall another mysterious light from Gran Canaria. It was said to appear on the sands of Guanaterme, move toward the Church of La Isleta, and then head to the sea, where it disappeared. I hope the values of sports continue to shine across the world and that, unlike that light, they never fade into the ocean.