We commemorate the 29th anniversary of the death of Raimundo Saporta. On February 2, 1997, the Real Madrid said goodbye to a key figure in its history, who, alongside Santiago Bernabéu contributed to the development of the club to make it the best in the world. Between 1952 and 1991 he was part of our institution, where he held the position of vice-president and president of the basketball section. Thanks to his great contribution to the club, he was also named honorary president.
In addition to his merits in building the Madrid legend, Raimundo Saporta has accomplished remarkable work in other areas of Spanish sport, for which he has received numerous distinctions, such as the Gold Medal of Sports Merit.
Basket-ball
His importance in this sport was immense. Before joining the Real Madridhe was part of the Spanish Basketball Federation and, throughout his career, he led a significant trajectory within the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). In his honor, the old European Cup Winners’ Cup was renamed Coupe Saportaand the basketball pavilion of the old Ciudad Deportiva was named after him. At the time of his death, he was 70 years old.
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Madrid, February 2, 1997 — Today marks 29 years since Real Madrid mourned the loss of Raimundo Saporta, a pivotal figure whose vision, alongside Santiago Bernabéu, helped elevate the club to global prominence. Saporta’s impact extended far beyond the basketball court, leaving an indelible mark on Spanish sports history.
A Legacy Forged in Madrid
Saporta dedicated 39 years to Real Madrid, serving as vice-president and president of the basketball section, and was later named honorary president.
- Raimundo Saporta served Real Madrid for 39 years, from 1952 to 1991.
- He held key leadership positions, including vice-president and president of the basketball section.
- Saporta’s contributions were recognized with the Gold Medal of Sports Merit.
- The European Cup Winners’ Cup was renamed Coupe Saporta in his honor.
Saporta’s involvement with Real Madrid spanned from 1952 to 1991, during which he held the positions of vice-president and president of the basketball section. His dedication and leadership were instrumental in the club’s success, earning him the prestigious title of honorary president. Beyond his contributions to Real Madrid, Saporta received the Gold Medal of Sports Merit, acknowledging his broader impact on Spanish athletics.
Basketball’s Enduring Influence
What was Raimundo Saporta’s role in the development of European basketball? Saporta’s influence extended beyond Real Madrid, deeply impacting the landscape of European basketball. He was actively involved with the Spanish Basketball Federation before joining Real Madrid and played a significant role within the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) throughout his career.
His legacy is permanently etched in the sport’s history through the renaming of the European Cup Winners’ Cup as the Coupe Saporta. Furthermore, the basketball pavilion at the old Ciudad Deportiva was named in his honor, a testament to his lasting contributions. Saporta passed away at the age of 70, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that continues to inspire.
