site.btaDistinguished Bulgarian Athletes Receive President's Badge of Honour

Bulgaria’s head of State, Rumen Radev, Thursday presented distinguished Bulgarian athletes with the President’s Badge of Honour for their outstanding contributions to the development of Bulgarian and international sport, the Olympic movement, and the nurturing of young talent, as well as on the occasion of significant anniversaries.

Among those honoured were Bulgarian Trampoline Federation President and FIG Council member Stoian Dimitrov; Lubomir Ganev, bronze medallist at the 1986 FIVB World Championship in France and President of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation; and Serafim Barzakov, silver medallist at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and two-time world champion in freestyle wrestling; and Maria Petrova, three-time world and two-time European champion in rhythmic gymnastics and Vice President of the Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation.

"You have not only reached the pinnacle of sport but have also become beacons of honour and dignity to Bulgarian athletics. Today, you are creating a legacy - a springboard to new and greater achievements for future generations. Each of you has built a successful career after your active competitive career. Through your willpower, professionalism, and hard work, you represent Bulgaria in European and world organizations," Radev said.