City Recognises Olympic Architect
Barcelona has awarded Pere Miró, a key architect of the 1992 Olympic Games and long-serving International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive, the Medalla d'Or al Mèrit Esportiu, the city’s highest sporting honour. The ceremony took place on Monday 14 September 2026 at the Saló de Cent in Barcelona City Hall, where Mayor Jaume Collboni formally presented the medal to Miró in front of a delegation from Manresa, Olympic officials and former colleagues. Miró, born in Manresa in 1955, played a decisive role during the Barcelona 1992 Games as a city councillor and member of the executive team. His leadership helped shape one of the most transformative moments in the city’s modern history.
Three Decades of Global Olympic Service
Over a 30-year career at the IOC, Miró held several high-level positions, including Director of Olympic Solidarity, Director of Relations with National Olympic Committees, and Deputy Director General of the IOC. He also served as a special advisor to IOC President Thomas Bach.
The spirit of the Olympics remains alive in Barcelona thanks to people like Pere Miró.
Mayor Collboni said: "The professional career of Pere Miró has shown us that the values of Olympism and sport are values of peace." He described the award as "absolute justice" for one of Barcelona’s most influential sports leaders, the highest-ranking Catalan at the IOC after Joan Antoni Samaranch. Thomas Bach, former IOC President, praised Miró’s global impact: "From Barcelona 1992, his Olympic journey began. For three decades, he was one of the most important figures in the IOC, knowing better than anyone the 206 National Olympic Committees." Alejandro Blanco, President of the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE), highlighted Miró’s philosophy: "Today we honour not just his titles, but his way of understanding Olympism, helping others find solutions, building better people, promoting equality and global inclusion."
Emotional Tribute from a Local Hero
Miró, who began his sporting career at Club Natació Manresa as a water polo player, closed the ceremony with an emotional speech.
Sport is a transformative vehicle for cities and a unique tool for integration.
He thanked his family, fellow leaders like Pasqual Maragall, and the teams he worked with, reflecting on how sport had shaped both his life and the city of Barcelona. The Medalla d'Or al Mèrit Esportiu is awarded by the Barcelona City Council to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to sport. Previous recipients include basketball star Pau Gasol, who received the medal in a ceremony also held at the Saló de Cent.
Primary sources: Ayuntamiento de Barcelona, ajuntament.barcelona.cat. Reported by sport.es, mundodeportivo.com, lavanguardia.com, EFE (Agencia), olympics.com, infobae.com, regio7.cat, Regió 7.
