Richard Oribe collecting his award.
- At “The Paralympic Night” a moving tribute was paid to sportsman Richard Oribe
- After a long career fully of triumphs: 16 paralympic medals, 8 golds, 6 silvers and 2 bronzes he was retiring from competition
- Sport has won the best master possible”
Included in the “Paralympic Night” organised by the Basque Adapted Sports Federation under their GaituzSport Project, a deserving tribute was paid to Richard Oribe, one of the best Basque paralympic sportsmen, internationally recognised.
The most moving moment of the event held on 26th May 2016 at the Tabakalera building in Donostia was when Óscar Terol and Reyes Prados the event presenters invited Markel Olano, Gipuzkoa Chief Executive and the Chairman of the Federation to come on stage to pay tribute to a magnificent sportsman and person, Richard Oribe.
After a long career full of successes, he announced his retirement from competition with 16 paralympic medals, 8 golds, 6 silvers and 2 bronzes for the best sportsman worldwide in the category of cerebral palsy swimmers.
His impressive career consists of 22 medals in world championships and 28 in European championships, besides winning 48 world records in different specialities.
An amazing sportsman, whose life mottos have always been humility, friendliness and constant work. During a large part of his career he has been accompanied by his trainer, friend and companion, the great Javier de Aymerich.
With the whole room standing and a great ovation filled with admiration and fondness, Richard Oribe received his award with happy tears, a picture with the words that best define him: Effort, Legend, Sacrifice, Handicap, Involvement, Self-improvement, Sport, Egokitua, Eredugarria, Konstantzia, Borrokalaria, Txapelduna.
Among the public were his proud parents and family who had accompanied him. Richard expressed his thanks for the recognition, but the applause drowned out his words. Finally, Javier thanked everyone on behalf of both and announced Richard’s intention to continue supporting young sportspeople with his experience.
To quote Porfirio Hernández, Chairman of the BASF, “competition loses one of its best, but our sport gains the best master possible, and Richard you are the model all sportspeople should copy”.
