Mexico Rewards Olympic and Paralympic Champions

Mexican President Felipe Calderon gave on Thursday the national prize of sports to two Olympic champions and two Paralympic champions.

Taekwondo fighters Maria del Rosario Espinoza and Guillermo Perez, together with their coach Jose Luis, earned the prize.

Also winning the honor were two elite disabled athletes _ Nelly Edith Miranda (swimming) and Amalia Perez (powerlifting).

Espinoza and Guillermo Perez won gold in the 58kg and over 67kg categories respectively at the Beijing Olympics. Miranda clinched gold at 50 and 100 meters freestyle S4 class and Perez took gold in the 52kg category.

Mexican Public Education Minister Josefina Vazquez Mota told the winners that "you represent the best of the sports in Mexico" at the awarding ceremony held at the Revolution Monument in Mexico City.

Since 1975, Mexican government has awarded the best sportsmen in the country, handing out 500,000 Mexican pesos (40,000 U.S. dollars), a diploma signed by the President and a pure gold medal.