The Golden Olimpia is awarded annually to the most important Argentine sports figure of the year. Never in the 55-year history of the honor has the choice been more difficult from among the 41 recognized sports disciplines.
Juan Martin del Potro , who toppled Roger Federer in the U.S. Open final, received Argentina's Golden Olimpia award for top athlete.
(Associated Press)
U.S. Open tennis champion Juan Martin del Potro edged out soccer superstar Lionel Messi and Masters Tournament champion Angel Cabrera to win the coveted award for 2009.
Del Potro's triumph was significant considering that Messi - who excelled for Barcelona's triple champion and the Argentine national team's World Cup qualifiers - already had won European soccer's prestigious Ballon d'Or in 2009 by near-unanimous acclimation and was named FIFA's world player of the year.
The 20-year-old del Potro's accomplishment at Flushing Meadows was eye-catching. After sweeping Rafael Nadal in straight sets to reach his first career Grand Slam final, he stunned Roger Federer, who was trying to become the first player since Bill Tilden in 1920-25 to win six U.S. Opens in a row. Federer, the winner of 16 major titles, had not lost in 40 consecutive matches in the U.S. Open dating back to a 2003 loss to another Argentine, David Nalbandian, who grew up in the village next to Cabrera's.
Cabrera picked a tough year to become the first Argentine golfer to take home the green jacket. He has won the Golden Olimpia before, in 2007 after beating Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk to win the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club.
Jose Coceres (2001), Eduardo Romero (1989) and Roberto De Vicenzo (1967 and '70) are the other golfers to win Argentina's top sporting honor.
ARGENTINA'S OTHER SPORTS STARS
Juan Martin del Potro (right): Beat Rafael Nadal and then Roger Federer (left) to win the 2009 U.S. Open
(Associated Press)
SOCCER
Diego Maradona: World Cup star currently coaching the Argentine national team
Lionel Messi: 2009 FIFA world player of the year for Barcelona's La Liga
BASKETBALL
Manu Ginobili: Won Olympic gold medal in 2004 and three NBA titles with San Antonio Spurs
TENNIS
Martin Gramatica: Former placekicker for Super Bowl XXXVII champion Tampa Bay Bucs
(Associated Press)
Juan Martin del Potro: Beat Rafael Nadal and then Roger Federer to win the 2009 U.S. Open
David Nalbandian: Grew up in Unquillo, a town next to Cabrera's
Gabriela Sabatini: Won the 1990 women's title at the U.S. Open
Guillermo Vilas: Won four Grand Slam titles at French, Australian and U.S. Opens
POLO
Adolfo Cambiaso: Leader of La Dolfina, which has won five of the past eight Argentine Opens at Palermo
Adolfo Cambiaso (left): Leader of La Dolfina, which has won five of the past eight Argentine Opens at Palermo
(Associated Press)
MOTORSPORTS
Juan Manuel Fangio: Five-time Formula One world champion
BOXING
Carlos Baldomir: Former WBC welterweight champion; lost light middleweight title bout to Augusta's Vernon Forrest in 2007
FOOTBALL
Martin Gramatica: Former placekicker for Super Bowl XXXVII champion Tampa Bay Bucs
Gabriela Sabatini: Won the 1990 women's title at the U.S. Open
(Associated Press)