Approximately 150 athletes and coaches from the High Performance Centre (CAR) in Sant Cugat have been honoured for their outstanding performances in international competitions during the 2025-2026 season. The recognition took place during the season opening event on 14 October 2026.
The athletes celebrated for their achievements span a variety of sports, including athletics, swimming, adapted swimming, artistic swimming (both junior and senior), water polo, climbing, trial, pentathlon, trampoline gymnastics, wrestling, field hockey, and taekwondo. Among the team sports, the men's senior field hockey team received accolades for winning silver at the World Cup, while both the men's and women's senior water polo teams were recognised for their medals at the Open Championship WP 4x4. Various youth teams also achieved international success, alongside the senior and junior artistic swimming teams, which excelled at the European and World Championships.
Individual honours were awarded to athletes such as Berta Abellán, the world champion in trial; Jaël Bestué, who won bronze at the World Relays and the European Athletics Championships; and Luca Hoek, who claimed gold in the 100m freestyle at the European Junior Swimming Championships. Other notable recipients included Emma Feliu, Óscar Salguero, and Ian Florencio, who were medallists at the European Championships in adapted swimming, as well as Noemí Romero, who earned bronze in trampoline gymnastics, and taekwondo medallists Elsa Secanell and Joel Martín.
During the ceremony, the Minister of Sports, Berni Álvarez, congratulated the athletes for their results and the values they demonstrate both in and out of competition. He expressed his hopes for their continued success in the upcoming season, stating, 'It makes us very happy to see you on the podiums of major competitions because we see that your talent and effort are being rewarded with achievements in the main championships and that you are fulfilling your life goals. But also because, thanks to your performances, Catalonia is reinforced on the international stage.'
Álvarez emphasised that high-level athletes are 'a source of pride for the Government and an example for younger generations, encouraging them to continue participating in sports and attracting new practitioners to our clubs and organisations. This way, they adopt the habit of sports for life.'
In addition to the recognitions, the Minister announced improvements and new facilities at the CAR. The Department of Sports is finalising the new ARC360 plan, which aims to enhance the structures and services of the CAR and other training centres across the country. This plan will unify services for elite athletes and reinstate financial incentives for this group.
Furthermore, the CAR in Sant Cugat will soon expand to include new disciplines such as trial, with a training circuit being established, and field hockey, which will have a dedicated pitch replacing the current football field. Álvarez also revealed plans for upgrades and investments in various centre facilities, including the renovation of the outdoor swimming pool and the replacement of flooring in two pavilions.
The event was attended by Abel Garcia, the Secretary General of the Department of Sports, and Ramon Terrassa, the director of the CAR, along with staff from the CAR, teachers from the local secondary school, and other technicians and service personnel. For the 2026-27 season, the CAR is training 387 athletes, of whom 292 (133 women and 159 men) receive funding from the Catalan Government.
