7.5 euro – Rosa Mota

In continuation of the Idols of Sport series, which pays homage to major Portuguese sporting figures, this year’s coin is created by sculptor João Cutileiro and is dedicated to Rosa Mota, Olympic and world champion in one of athletics’ most emblematic disciplines - the marathon. Rosa Mota made world athletics history by running and winning the first official women's marathon, in Greece in 1982, which followed the original route completed by Pheidippides, between Athens and Marathon in 490 B. C., thereby putting an end to the myth that the female body and organism did not allow them to run distances of over 3000 metres. Highlights of her proud track record are a bronze medal at the Los Angeles Olympic Games, in 1984, a gold medal at the Seoul Olympic Games, in 1988, and winning a World Championship in Rome, in 1987, as well as 3 European Championships, meaning that “Our Rosinha”, as she is fondly known by many Portuguese people, continues to be a source of pride and admiration for many generations.