The ceremony was organized by the Argentine Sports Ministry and among the outstanding attendees were Sergio Batista, the soccer coach from the under 23 national team, who successfully defended their title in Beijing.

“There are teenagers of 15 years old who have new cars, apartments and talk about a lot of money. The Olympic Games is important because it transmits the spirit of amateur sports, and that is good to reach the youngest soccer players,” Batista said.

Batista said that “one year after the Games, one realized that the achievement of winning a gold medal was important, but also there are other positive things.”

Argentina won six medals at the Olympic Games of Beijing 2008: two gold medals in men’s soccer and cycling; and four bronze ones in women’s field hockey, men’s basketball, women’s 48 kg judo and yachting Tornado class.