Congratulations, Pedro Pichardo!

"Congratulations, Pedro Pichardo. By becoming the European indoor triple jump champion today in Torun, you won your first major title with the colors of Portugal.

As the president of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, I can only point out that this achievement is a source of great personal pride and true happiness. I am sure that this is an equal source of pride for the entire Benfica nation and, above all, for Portugal.

This victory from Pedro Pichardo, along with so many other recent victories and achievements by athletes from our Club, is an unequivocal demonstration of the extraordinary and successful path that Sport Lisboa e Benfica's Olympic project has been taking.

Pichardo is today legitimately a reference in the sport for the sportsmanship and strong ambition, and work that he always brings to the track.

You have shown all your value, which we have long recognized, and it is only right that today the whole country feels proud of your victory. I know well how you longed to live this moment and to be able to sing the national anthem. We are together and proud of the bet made on you in 2017. Together we will continue to walk, and I, and certainly all the Portuguese people, are convinced that, despite the effects of the pandemic in sports, in a few months you will be in Tokyo legitimately in another great competition and carrying our strong hopes for another medal for Portugal. Go ahead, Pedro!"