UC Sports Gala honours those who are ‘a force and an example’
The ceremony brought together student-athletes, managers, technical teams, and other stakeholders to celebrate the University of Coimbra's top achievements in sport during the 2023/2024 season.
Sport, the "cornerstone" of the University of Coimbra (UC), reached one of its high points on the evening of 24 September. The UC 2024 Sports Gala brought together students, managers, technical and other stakeholders to celebrate the best of the University's sports achievements for the 2023/2024 season.
The UC Pro-Rector for Sport, Filipa Godinho, praised the "inclusion of sport in the Rectorate's strategic priorities," which was reflected in the results. With "more than 25,000 euros in sports scholarships" awarded this academic year, the UC demonstrates its commitment to high-performance sports.
Other sports-related activities, such as the University of Coimbra Games, also saw record participation in 2023/2024, with more than 5,500 participants. Filipa Godinho believes that "all the results are the outcome of true teamwork." For the Pro-Rector, the awards presented at the Gala are "clear signs of recognition for work and achievement." A more active and healthier community is a happier community.
Rector Amílcar Falcão stated that "the 2023/2024 academic year was quite successful, both in high-performance and recreational sports," highlighting the strong representation of UC student-athletes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
The event honoured the five students who participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Catarina Costa (Judo / Faculty of Medicine) and Camila Rebelo (Swimming / Faculty of Medicine); Diogo Cancela (Paraswimming / Faculty of Sciences and Technology), Tomás Cordeiro (Paraswimming / Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences) and Telmo Pinão (Paracycling / Faculty of Sports Science and Physical Education).
The Sports Gala Prize was also awarded posthumously to the President of the Portuguese Olympic Committee.
UC Sports Gala Awards 2024
Athlete of the Year: Joana Dinis (futsal);
Athlete of the Year: Iago Bebiano (canoeing);
Team of the Year: Women's tennis;
Coach of the year: Rui António Fernandes (canoeing).
Academic League Trophy (University of Coimbra Games): AAC Sports Science and Physical Education Student Group
Dual Career Award (awarded to the student-athletes who graduated from the University of Coimbra in 2023/24 and who have managed to combine an academic and sporting career): Gabriel Lopes (swimming) and João Costa (futsal)
Ethics and Fair Play Award: President of the Portuguese Paralympic Committee, José Manuel Lourenço
UC Sports Gala Award: President of the Portuguese Olympic Committee (2013-2024), José Manuel Constantino, posthumously.
Tribute to the high-performance student-athletes who competed in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Camila Rebelo, Catarina Costa, Diogo Cancela, Telmo Pinão, Tomás Cordeiro.