Vasco Cordeiro welcomed Meaghan Benfeito, bronze medallist at the London Olympics
The President of the Government of the Azores, Vasco Cordeiro, welcomed today Canadian athlete of Azorean descent Meaghan Benfeito, to whom he awarded the Autonomic Commendation of Recognition that was bestowed on the Region's Day in 2013. Meaghan Benfeito won the bronze medal in the category of synchronised swimming at the London Olympics.
The Autonomic Commendation of Recognition, the second in the hierarchy of Azorean Commendations, aims to distinguish the acts of exceptional relevance that value and confer prestige to the Region and the Country as well as the citizens who distinguish themselves for their merit; in this particular case for their sports merit.
During the meeting held at the Santana Palace in Ponta Delgada, Vasco Cordeiro considered that the sports achievements of this high-level athlete of Azorean descent (São Miguel Island) are a reason of pride for the Azores and should serve as an example for young Azoreans.
Meaghan Benfeito, whose grandparents emigrated from Porto Formoso to Canada, began her sports career in 2005, having won a bronze medal at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships.
In 2006 and 2007, she won bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games and Pan American Games in synchronised swimming. She also won another bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Last July, she won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games that were held in Scotland.