Historic Gold in Paris: Francisca Crovetto Named Chile’s ‘Best Athlete’ 2024 at Olympic Gala
chilean Shooter Francisca Crovetto Named Chile’s Top Athlete of 2024
Santiago, Chile – In a night celebrating athletic excellence, Chilean shooter Francisca Crovetto Chadid was crowned Chile’s top athlete of 2024 at the Gala Olímpica held tuesday at the Metropolitan Santiago event center in Vitacura.
Crovetto made history earlier this year, securing Chile’s third-ever Olympic gold medal and becoming the first Chilean woman to achieve this feat. Her victory in the skeet shooting event at the Paris Olympics captivated the nation.
“I want to thank my parents for believing in me infinitely,” Crovetto said, visibly emotional during her acceptance speech. “Fifteen years ago, it wasn’t easy to support a daughter pursuing high-performance sports, but they never doubted me, they always believed, they always supported me. I also want to thank my husband, who in these 10 years together has never put obstacles in my way, he has helped me a lot.”
The Gala Olímpica, attended by athletes, coaches, Team Chile sponsors, and government officials including Sports Minister Jaime Pizarro, recognized outstanding achievements across various disciplines.
other notable awards presented at the ceremony included:
Best Young Athletes: Manuel Fernández and felipe Guerra (rowing), Matías González (water skiing), Walter Malsch, Jorge Urzúa, and Rafaela Salvatore (sailing), Nicolás Campos (artistic swimming), Trinidad Espinal (water skiing), Leonor Toy and Santiago Osses (inline skating), and Javiera Mansilla (cycling).
Making History Award: Kristel Köbrich (swimming),Ignacia Holscher (wakeboarding),and Alejandro Tabilo (tennis).
World Championship Medalists in Non-Olympic Disciplines: Martín Vidaurre and Florencia Espiñeira (mountain biking),Valentina Vargas (speed skating),Franca martini and Rodolfo Gálvez (bocce).
Best Coaches of the Year: Christian Eleuteri (skeet shooting) and Néstor Almanza (wrestling).
Outstanding Athletic performances: Valentina Toro (karate), Hugo Ramírez (speed skating), Martín Labra (water skiing), maría José mailliard (canoeing), Clemente Seguel (sailing), Macarena Pérez (BMX Freestyle), Yasmani Acosta (wrestling), and Francisca Crovetto (skeet shooting).
Team Chile Spirit Award (voted by athletes): Francisca Crovetto.
Crovetto’s historic win and the recognition of other Chilean athletes at the Gala Olímpica highlight the nation’s growing presence on the international sporting stage.
Chile’s Golden Girl: An interview with Francisca Crovetto
NewsDirect3.com: Francisca Crovetto, congratulations on being named Chile’s top athlete of 2024! Your Olympic gold medal in skeet shooting was a truly historic moment for Chile. Can you share your feelings about this incredible achievement?
Francisca Crovetto: Thank you.It’s an honor to receive this award and to represent my country on such a prestigious stage. Bringing home Chile’s third-ever Olympic gold medal, and being the first Chilean woman to do so, is a dream come true. It still feels surreal.
NewsDirect3.com: your journey to Olympic gold has been marked by dedication and perseverance. Can you tell us about the sacrifices you’ve made and the support system that has helped you along the way?
Francisca Crovetto: The path to success wasn’t easy. There were countless hours of training,setbacks,and moments of doubt. But my family and my husband have been my unwavering pillars of support. Their belief in me,even when I doubted myself,kept me going.
NewsDirect3.com: Your emotional acceptance speech at the Gala Olímpica touched many hearts. What message do you hope to convey to young aspiring athletes in Chile?
Francisca Crovetto: I want them to know that anything is possible with passion, hard work, and unwavering belief in oneself. Don’t be afraid to chase your dreams, even if they seem unfeasible. Embrace the challenges, learn from your mistakes, and never give up.
NewsDirect3.com: What’s next for Francisca Crovetto? What are your future ambitions in the world of shooting?
Francisca Crovetto: I’m eager to continue representing Chile on the international stage. My aim is to inspire more young people to take up shooting and to further elevate Chile’s standing in this sport.