Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva and Prime Minister Jose Socrated congratulated on Thursday Portuguese athlete Nelson Evora for winning the gold medal in triple jump at the Olympic Games of Beijing.

"In my name and of the Portuguese people I want to lively congratulate your for the gold medal in triple jump that you won at the Olympic Games of Beijing," Cavao told Evora in a message.

Cavaco said that "enormous sports fact was fundamental in the sports qualities and also personal" of the athlete.

"I also want to congratulate you for the exceptional carrier that you have consolidated with the trophies you have won till now, confirming with this your spirit of conqueror and your extraordinary sports talent that make proud all the Portuguese people," Cavaco said.

Meanwhile, Socrates phoned Evora and told him that his triumph "was a moment of great joy for the country."

"Portuguese people are very proud of the magnificant performances of Evora, which increase the prestige of the sports and athletics of the country," Socrates said.

Presidency Minister Pedro Silva Pereira also congratulated Evora and he said that "this gold medal awards a carrier of a lot of dedication and notable sports triumphs."

In a statment Silva said that he and all Portuguese people accompanied Evora "with great enthusiasm" during his competition.

Evora won on Thursday the first fold medal of the current Olympic Games for Portugal, adding it to the world title he won in Osaka, Japan in 2007.

Evora defeated British Philips Idowu with a jump of 17.67 meters. Idowu made a jump of 17.62m and won the silver.

Source:Xinhua