Fernando Pimenta is the best Portuguese athlete of all time, said the President of the Portuguese Canoeing Federation.

The President of the Portuguese Canoe Federation (FPC), Vitor Felix, today called Fernando Pimento “the best Portuguese athlete of all time”.

“In addition to 136 international medals, Fernando Pimenta is the national athlete with the most European and world titles, as well as two Olympic medals. And he is the only one in Portugal to have three world titles, in addition to being on the podium from the 500 meters to the marathon,” he explained.

The leader spoke after the city council of Ponte de Lima paid tribute to Fernando Pimenta for another successful season, highlighting the world title in the Olympic 1000m K1.

“It’s not because he lacks a medal [de ouro] The Olympic victory that everyone wants to join the champions in athletics, but it is the athletic performance and consistency from 2009 to the present, always on the podium. I don’t know any Portuguese athletes with such characteristics,” he emphasized.

Vítor Félix admitted that after the “explosion” on social networks due to the fact that the President of the Republic did not honor Fernando Pimenta and other athletes from different sports, as well as European and World champion titles, there was a promise that something would be done.

“The President promised to host medal-winning athletes of the European Games and World Universiades, but this was nothing more than a promise. Two months passed from the first and a month after the second, and there were no attempts to accept them. …Once again our demand for this fair recognition,” he lamented.

He also complained about the fact that the federation he heads is “only 15th in the ranking of public funding for the sport”, recalling many “excellent results” in canoeing, where João Ribeiro and Messias Baptista, who became world champions in canoeing. K2 500 meters, which are part of the Paris2024 program.

“Sporting results do not lead to recognition in government funding,” he criticized, recalling that his federation “continues to do a lot with little cost.”

Lima Mayor Vasco Ferraz highlighted the “exceptional athlete and outstanding achievements” that Fernando Pimenta has achieved together with his coach Hélio Lucas, in successes achieved with “blood, sweat and tears, as well as personal sacrifices and many battles.”

He emphasized their “commitment and dedication” to canoeing and called Fernando Pimento a “force of nature and work.”

Portuguese Olympic Committee President Jose Manuel Constantino sent a video praising “another outstanding sporting season” and expressing “expectation and hope” that Pimenta will achieve his biggest dream of becoming an Olympic champion.