I was very pleased to know of your election as the Year’s European Athlete by the European Athletics Association.

All of us who have welcomed you in Portugal are very happy with this further award, which underlines your qualities as a sportsman and values you as an athlete, internationally and fully recognized today.

I address my congratulations to the record bearing athlete who has helped to promote athletics in Portugal, wishing him great personal happiness and further successes in sports.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva