The Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD), through its president, José Manuel Franco, recognized on Friday the walker Marc Tur Picó of the Peña Deportiva with the Royal Order of Sporting Merit for his “commitment to equality” as part of the strategy ‘Iguales en el Deporte’ (Equals in Sport) and LGTBI Pride Day. The Ibizan walker continues making history and championing the name of the island of Eivissa as a sporting reference and defender of social values.
By Resolution of June 24th, 2022 by the CSD presidency, Marc Tur was recognized for “representing the struggle of men and women for equality and for recognizing the values of sport beyond the sexual orientation of the athlete”.
“I feel very proud and very happy. I did not expect it. Many people deserve this medal too. On the one hand, my performance in the Games marked a before and after. That competition reflected the effort and sacrifice of so many years of dedication to athletics. It was an agonizing 50 km race in which body and mind took me to an extreme and limits that I did not know I had. I fought for the medal but nine seconds separated me from a bronze”, recalled Marc Tur, after receiving the Royal Order of Sporting Merit.
Royal Order of Sporting Merit in recognition of equality, respect and tolerance
“On the other hand, I will always be on the side of equality, respect and tolerance against the hatred that can be seen so often in this society. In sport there are values that must be present. We are lucky to live in this time and place, but we must not forget those who have fought to be where we are. My story is one more within the collective. I will always show my full support so that these difficulties disappear. Every little bit counts,” he said.
“In many cases we would have liked to have had personal development without stigmas, fears or prejudices because we are people before athletes and we must not forget that,” he said.
José Manuel Franco, president of the CSD, said that the awarding of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit allows “continuing the path in favor of equality, diversity and inclusion”.
“Now the unrenounceable slogan ‘Equal in sport’ gains strength. We will not give up and it will guide our steps now and always. We work so that equalities are appreciated and inequalities are diluted,” said Franco, in his “thank you” speech to Marc Tur.
“When you said you were gay you contributed to accept a message of acceptance and respect, two essential things in sport and society. We value your courage for expressing yourself as you are, something that seems simple but is not, and something that Spanish society still has a hard time accepting. Sport offers a loudspeaker that, when well used, turns athletes into a reference for thousands of people,” he confessed.
“Your visibility helps to overcome fears, insecurities and certain misunderstandings. None of us should live with a mask because of the feelings it arouses towards another person. No one should suffer because of their sexual orientation. I want you to become a point of support for young people. Your visibility allows us to fight homophobia,” he commented.
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