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Olimpia Award

Annual sports awards

Olimpia Award

Summary

Annual sports awards

FieldValue
nameOlimpia Award
subheader
imageOlimpia premio estatuilla.png
image_size90px
captionStatue of the "Olimpia de Oro", designed by Mario Chiérico
awarded_forExcellence in sports
dateDecember
locationBuenos Aires
countryArgentina
presenterAssociation of Sports Journalists of Argentina
host
year
holder
most_awards
website
network
viewership
image2size

The Olimpia Awards () are Argentine sports awards given annually by the Círculo de Periodistas Deportivos (Association of Sports Journalists) since 1954. An Olimpia de Plata (Silver Olimpia) is awarded to the outstanding performer in 41 sports.

Among the Olimpia de Plata winners an Olimpia de Oro (Golden Olimpia) is awarded to the most important sportsperson of the year. Each trophy consists of a statue designed by sculptor Mario Chiérico. Football legend Lionel Messi is the all-time record winner with four awards to his name.

History

The first Olimpia de Oro was given to the racing car driver Juan Manuel Fangio on 3 December 1954 at the Luna Park stadium in Buenos Aires, and the first woman to receive the award was the tennis player Norma Baylon in 1962. Other women to win the Olimpia de Oro individually were the tennis player Gabriela Sabatini in 1987 and 1988, and Andrea Noemí González in 1998, the field hockey players Cecilia Rognoni in 2002 and Luciana Aymar in 2010, the judoka Paula Pareto in 2015 and the swimmer Delfina Pignatiello in 2017. The women's national field hockey team, known in Argentina as Las Leonas, won the award collectively in 2000, becoming the only team so honored to date.

Lionel Messi is the only person to receive 4. Lionel Messi and the boxer Santos Laciarto receive 3 consecutive Olimpias de Oro, in 1982, 1983 and 1984, due to his conquering and retaining of the world flyweight title. Six others have received 2 Olimpias de Oro: the golfer Roberto De Vicenzo in 1967 and 1970, and separately in 2002 and 2010 and the tennis player Juan Martín del Potro in 2009 and 2016.

The Olimpia de Oro has only been shared twice in its history: in 2004, when Manu Ginóbili shared the honor with association football player Carlos Tevez and in 2008, when the award was bestowed on cyclists Juan Curuchet and Walter Pérez. The only Olimpia de Platino (Platinum Olimpia) was awarded at the end of the 20th century to Maradona as "the best sportsperson of the century".

''Olimpia de Plata'' categories

The Olimpia de Plata is awarded to the outstanding performer in each of the following sports:

  • Association football
  • Athletics
  • Auto racing
  • Basketball
  • Basque pelota
  • Bocce
  • Boxing
  • Canoeing
  • Cestoball
  • Chess
  • Cue sports
  • Cycling
  • Equestrianism
  • Fencing
  • Field hockey
  • Futsal
  • Golf
  • Gymnastics
  • Handball
  • Horse racing
  • Judo
  • Motorcycling
  • Padel tennis
  • Paralympic sports
  • Pato
  • Polo
  • Roller hockey
  • Rowing
  • Rugby union
  • Shooting
  • Skating
  • Skiing
  • Softball
  • Squash
  • Swimming
  • Table tennis
  • Taekwondo
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Weightlifting
  • Wrestling
  • Yachting

''{{lang|es|Olimpia de Oro}}'' winners

[[Lionel Messi]] has won the award a record 4 times, the most in history.

The following is a list of winners since the Olimpia was first awarded in 1954:

YearWinnerSportNote
1954Juan Manuel FangioAuto racing (Formula One)Won the Formula One World Championship for the second time.
1955Pascual PérezBoxingSuccessfully defended World Flyweight title two times in 1955.
1956Jorge BátizCyclingWon silver medal at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships.
1957Pedro DellachaAssociation footballHe was captain of the Argentina national team that won the 1957 Copa América.
1958Osvaldo SuárezAthletics (long distances)Won three gold medals at the South American Championships in Athletics.
1959Luis Federico ThompsonBoxingWon the Welterweight Argentine title and defeated world champion Don Jordan by K.O. for a non-title fight.
1960Rodolfo HossingerGlidingWon the World Gliding Championships.
1961Luis NicolaoSwimming
1962Norma BaylonTennisWon the Abierto de la República and reached the seventh in the world ranking.
1963Juan Carlos DyrzkaAthletics (400 metres)Won the gold medal at the Pan American Games and at the South American Championships in Athletics.
1964Carlos MoratorioEquestrianism (eventing)Won the silver medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics, the only medal won by Argentina during those games.
1965Bernardo OtañoRugby unionCaptained Argentina during their first African tour and the landmark win of 11–6 against the Junior Springboks.
1966Horacio AccavalloBoxingWon vacant WBA & WBC World Flyweight title. Successfully defended the title 2 times in 1966.
1967Roberto De Vicenzo (1)GolfWon the British Open, becoming the first Argentine to win a major championship.
1968Nicolino LoccheBoxingWon WBA Light Welterweight title.
1969Alberto Demiddi (1)RowingWon the single scull event at the European Rowing Championships.
1970Roberto De Vicenzo (2)GolfWon the Argentine Open, Argentine Masters, Ranelagh Open, Old Smuggler Grand Prix; won the Bob Jones Award and the World Cup (individual).
1971Alberto Demiddi (2)RowingWon the Diamond Challenge Sculls at the Henley Royal Regatta, the single scull event at the European Rowing Championships and at the Pan American Games.
1972Carlos MonzónBoxingSuccessfully defended his WBA, WBC & The Ring Middleweight titles four times in 1972.
1973Horacio IglesiasSwimmingWon his fifth world title in professional marathon swimming.
1974Guillermo Vilas (1)TennisLed the Grand Prix Circuit and won 7 Association of Tennis Professionals tournaments, including the year end Masters Grand Prix.
1975Guillermo Vilas (2)TennisLed the Grand Prix Circuit, won 5 Association of Tennis Professionals tournaments and reached the final of the French Open.
1976Juan Carlos HarriottPoloWon the Argentine Polo Open Championship for the 17th time, after winning the Triple Crown of Polo in 1972, 1974 and 1975.
1977Guillermo Vilas (3)TennisWon the French Open, US Open and 14 more Association of Tennis Professionals tournaments.
1978Daniel MartinazzoRoller hockey (Quad)Led Argentina on its way to win the Roller Hockey World Cup.
1979Diego Maradona (1)Association footballCaptained the Argentina national under-20 football team on its way to win the FIFA World Youth Championship. Named best player of the tournament, South American Footballer of the Year and Footballer of the Year of Argentina.
1980Sergio Victor PalmaBoxingWon WBA Super Bantamweight Title and successfully defended it one time in 1980.
1981Marcelo AlexandreCyclingWon gold at the Juniors Track World Championships.
1982Santos Laciar (1)BoxingWon WBA Flyweight Title and successfully defended the title two times in 1982.
1983Santos Laciar (2)BoxingSuccessfully defended his WBA Flyweight Title three times in 1983.
1984Santos Laciar (3)BoxingSuccessfully defended his WBA Flyweight Title three times in 1984.
1985Hugo PortaRugby unionCaptained the Argentine team that defeated France for the first time ever and tied with New Zealand. Named Best rugby union player of the world by Midi Olympique.
1986Diego Maradona (2)Association footballCaptained Argentina to win the FIFA World Cup, named best player of the tournament, scored the "Goal of the Century", named Footballer of the Year of Argentina, Onze d'Or, United Press International Athlete of the Year Award and World Soccer Awards Player of the Year.
1987Gabriela Sabatini (1)TennisWon the Pan Pacific Open, the Brighton International and the Buenos Aires Tournament. Reached the final of the WTA Tour Championships and the Women's Doubles tournament at the French Open.
1988Gabriela Sabatini (2)TennisWon the WTA Tour Championships, the silver medal at the Summer Olympics, reached the final of the US Open, won the Italian Open, the Boca Raton Tournament, the Canadian Open and the Women's Doubles tournament at the Wimbledon Championships. Was the flag bearer for Argentina at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
1989Eduardo RomeroGolfWon the Trophée Lancôme of the European Tour, the Argentine Open and Los Lagartos Grand Prix.
1990Pedro Ruben DecimaBoxingWon WBC Super bantamweight Champion Title.
1991Oscar RuggeriAssociation footballCaptained Argentina to win their first Copa America since 1959. Named South American Footballer of the Year and Footballer of the Year of Argentina.
1992Diego DeganoSwimmingWon the Santa Fe-Coronda Marathon for the third time.
1993Marcelo MilanesioBasketballWon the South American Club Championship with Atenas, and the bronze medal at the Tournament of the Americas and silver medal at the South American Basketball Championship with Argentina.
1994Julio César VásquezBoxingDefended the WBA Welterweight Title six times during 1994, including against previously undefeated Winky Wright.
1995Nora VegaRoller skatingWon two gold medals, a silver and a bronze medal at the 1995 Pan American Games, held in Mar del Plata. Vega was the last torch bearer and lit the Pan American Cauldron during the opening ceremony.
1996Carlos EspínolaWindsurfingWon silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
1997José MeolansSwimming
1998Andrea Noemí GonzálezRoller skatingWon 14 gold medals at the South American Games.
1999Gonzalo QuesadaRugby unionTop points scorer at the 1999 Rugby World Cup and part of the team that reached the quarter-finals of a Rugby World Cup for the first time ever.
2000Las LeonasField hockeyWon silver medal at the Summer Olympics becoming the first women's team in any sport to win an Olympic medal for Argentina.
2001José CóceresGolfSwitched to PGA Tour, won the WorldCom Classic - The Heritage of Golf and the National Car Rental Golf Classic Disney becoming the first Argentine to win on the PGA Tour since Roberto De Vicenzo in 1968.
2002Cecilia RognoniField hockeyPart of the team that won the World Cup for the first time, named FIH Player of the Year and Player of the Tournament at the Champions Trophy.
2003Manu Ginóbili (1)BasketballWon the NBA championship becoming the first ever Argentine to do so.
2004Manu Ginóbili (2)BasketballBoth led their respective teams to win gold medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics and breaking a streak of 52 years without achieving an Olympic gold medal for any Argentine.
Carlos TevezAssociation football
2005David NalbandianTennisWon the Tennis Masters Cup defeating the two-time defending champion and World No. 1 Roger Federer, and became the first Argentine to win the year-end tournament since Guillermo Vilas in 1974.
2006Germán ChiaraviglioAthletics (pole vault)Won gold at the 2006 World Junior Championships in Athletics improving the championship record by 6 cm. Won gold at the South American Games, at the Ibero-American Championships in Athletics and at the South American Championships in Athletics, and bronze at the IAAF World Cup.
2007Ángel CabreraGolfWon U.S. Open and became the first Argentine player to win the U.S. Open and the second to win a major, joining Roberto De Vicenzo.
2008Juan CuruchetCyclingWon gold medal at Olympic Men's Madison, one of two gold medal for Argentina at the 2008 Summer Olympics and first ever olympic medal at cycling for any Argentine. Juan Curuchet retired after participating on six Olympic Games.
Walter PérezCycling
2009Juan Martín del Potro (1)TennisWon US Open defeating the five-time defending champion Roger Federer, and became the first Argentine male to win the title since Guillermo Vilas in 1977.
2010Luciana AymarField hockeyWon the Women's Hockey World Cup and was named player of the tournament, won Champions Trophy and was named player of the tournament, won the FIH Player of the Year Award for the 7th time.
2011Lionel Messi (1)Association footballNamed world player of the year for the third time in a row, won FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, La Liga, Spanish Supercopa. Named captain of Argentina national football team.
2012Sergio MartínezBoxingWBC Middleweight Champion against Julio César Chávez Jr, named Boxer of the Year by the WBC.
2013Marcos MaidanaBoxingWBA Welterweight Champion against the previously unbeaten Adrien Broner.
2014Adolfo CambiasoPoloAs captain of La Dolfina Polo Team won the Triple Crown of Polo (Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo, Campeonato Abierto de Hurlingham and Campeonato Abierto del Tortugas), which is considered the highest honor in the polo world, for second year in a row.
2015Paula ParetoJudoWorld Champion at the 2015 World Judo Championships.
2016Juan Martín del Potro (2)TennisWon Stockholm Open, the silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, helped Argentina to win Davis Cup for the first time ever, defeated then world no. 1 Novak Djokovic and no. 2 Andy Murray. Improved his ranking from 1045° (2016.02.08) to 38° (2016.10.31). Won ATP World Tour Award as Comeback Player of the Year.
2017Delfina PignatielloSwimmingWon two gold and a silver medal at the 2017 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships, broke two championship records, a South American record and three national records. Won three gold, three silver and two bronze medals at the 2017 South American Youth Games.
2018Agustín CanapinoAuto racingWon a second Turismo Carretera title.
2019Luis ScolaBasketballLed the team that won the gold medal at the 2019 Pan American Games and silver medal at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Named member of the FIBA Basketball World Cup All-Tournament Team. Became all-time second most points scorer at FIBA Basketball World Cup and player with the most number of tournaments and games played in the tournament's history.
2020Diego SchwartzmanTennisReached ATP ranking's 8th position, qualified for the ATP Finals for the first time, defeated then world No.2 Rafael Nadal and world No.3 Dominic Thiem, reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final and first Grand Slam semi-final. Awarded in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021Lionel Messi (2)Association footballCaptained Argentina to win the Copa America for the first time in 28 years. Named best player, top scorer and best passer of the tournament. Received a record seventh Ballon d'Or, won Pichichi Trophy for the 8th time, won the Copa del Rey for the 7th time.
2022Lionel Messi (3)Association footballCaptained Argentina to win the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 36 years. Won tournament's Golden Ball and Silver Boot. Became Argentina's leading scorer in the FIFA World Cup and won a record breaking 5th FIFA World Cup Player of the Match Award and 11th in total. Also won the 2022 Finalissima with Argentina and the Trophée des Champions and Ligue 1 with PSG.
2023Lionel Messi (4) & Belén CasettaAssociation football & Athletics (3000 metres steeplechase)Messi won the Leagues Cup, Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year, his eighth Ballon d'Or and second The Best FIFA Football Award. Casetta won the gold medal at the 2023 Pan American Games and broke the Pan American record.
2024Emiliano Martínez & Franco ColapintoAssociation football & Auto racing (Formula One)Martínez won the 2024 Copa América, Yashin Trophy, The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper, IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper, and the Copa América Golden Glove. Colapinto became the first Argentine driver to compete in Formula One since Gastón Mazzacane in and the first Argentine to score points in Formula One since Carlos Reutemann at the 1982 South African Grand Prix.
2025Agustín Canapino (2)Auto racingWon the Turismo Carretera, TC2000 and TC Pick Up championships. Became the driver with the most titles in national motorsport.

References

References

  1. (20 December 2005). "Olimpia 2005: Nalbandian, la gran estrella". La Nación.
  2. (18 December 2012). "Los Olimpia cierran el año". La Nación.
  3. (18 December 2000). "Hoy entregan los Olimpia". La Nación.
  4. [http://www.cpd.com.ar/Premios-Olimpia/Historia Historia de los Premios Olimpia] {{Webarchive. link. (2019-08-05 on Círculo de Periodistas Deportivos)
  5. "Premios Olimpia". Escuela Superior de Periodismo Deportivo del Círculo de Periodistas Deportivos.
  6. (18 December 2007). "Todos los ganadores del oro, desde 1954". La Nación.
  7. Goitía, Gustavo. (31 December 1995). "Nora Vega volvió a rendirse ante la emoción". La Nación.
  8. (23 December 1998). "Andrea González es la mejor deportista del '98". La Nación.
  9. (23 December 2002). "Rognoni dueña del Olimpia de Oro". La Nación.
  10. (19 December 2000). "Leonas de Oro: las chicas del hockey, lo mejor del año". La Nación.
  11. (23 December 2004). "Tevez y Manu, olimpia de oro". La Nación.
  12. (23 December 2008). "Curuchet y Pérez, los ganadores del Olimpia de oro". La Nación.
  13. (21 December 1999). "Maradona". La Nación.
  14. (17 December 1996). "Carlos Espínola recibió el Olimpia de Oro". La Nación.
  15. Arsenio, Osvaldo. (21 December 1997). "Meolans, Olimpia de Oro". La Nación.
  16. (21 December 1999). "Maradona". La Nación.
  17. (24 March 2002). "Cóceres, el dueño del Olimpia de Oro". La Nación.
  18. (19 December 2006). "Chiaraviglio se quedó con el Olimpia de Oro". La Nación.
  19. (18 December 2007). "Cabrera se llevó el Olimpia de Oro". La Nación.
  20. Boso, Maximiliano. (23 December 2009). "Del Potro tuvo un año de colección". La Nación.
  21. Prestileo, Andrés. (22 December 2010). "Lucha de oro: Luciana Aymar, la mejor del año". La Nación.
  22. (21 December 2011). "Messi, mejor deportista argentino de 2011". Marca.
  23. (19 December 2012). "Maravilla Martínez tuvo otra noche de gran campeón". La Nación.
  24. (18 December 2013). "Maidana cerró un año dorado". La Nación.
  25. (23 December 2015). "Paula Pareto Olimpia de Oro: premio a la constancia de una pequeña gigante". La Nación.
  26. (21 December 2016). "Del Potro cerró el círculo más maravilloso: es el mejor deportista del año". La Nación.
  27. (20 December 2017). "Delfina Pignatiello se quedó con el Olimpia de Oro". TN.
  28. (17 December 2018). "Agustín Canapino, el piloto que le devolvió el oro al automovilismo". La Nación.
  29. (17 December 2018). "Luis Scola ganó el Olimpia de Oro al mejor deportista argentino del año". Clarín.
  30. (14 December 2021). "Messi y Schwartzman, los grandes ganadores en los Premios Olimpia". TyC Sports.
  31. (22 December 2022). "Messi suma premios: ganó el Olimpia de Oro 2022". Infobae.
  32. (19 December 2023). "Lionel Messi y Belén Casetta obtuvieron el Olimpia de Oro: todos los ganadores de la gala". Infobae.
  33. (19 December 2024). "Franco Colapinto y Dibu Martínez ganaron el Olimpia de Oro 2024". ESPN.
  34. (24 December 2025). "Agustín Canapino se quedó con el Olimpia de Oro 2025". Página 12.
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