Royal Order of Sporting Merit
It recognizes those who have distinguished themselves in the practice of sport, in the promotion and teaching of physical education or in the research, dissemination, organization and development of physical culture.
The Royal Order of Sports Merit is a decoration created by Royal Decree 1523/1982, of June 18, as an instrument to publicly recognize natural and legal persons who have provided eminent services or performed outstanding merits in the field of sport.
This distinction, awarded by the Superior Sports Council on behalf of the State, constitutes one of the highest civil honours in the Spanish sports field.
The Royal Order of Sporting Merit is structured in different degrees and distinctions, adapted to the profile of the winner and the type of recognized contribution.
For natural persons there are the following categories:
- Gold Medal
- Silver Medal
- Bronze Medal
For legal persons (entities, clubs, federations, etc.) There are the following categories:
- Gold Plate
- Plate of Silver
- bronze plate
The criteria for awarding these distinctions are based on merits accumulated throughout the sporting or professional career, as well as exceptional actions that have contributed to the development, prestige or promotion of sport in any of its fields, whether as athletes, coaches, leaders, researchers, promoters or institutions.
Over the years, the Royal Order of Sporting Merit has distinguished figures such as Severiano Ballesteros, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario and Miguel Induráin.
This decoration symbolizes not only the recognition of sports performance, but also the ethical, social and cultural commitment to the values of sport.