 |
| Edi Rama hanging the medal of honor around the neck of Alvin Karaqi |
Prime Minister Edi Rama has honored European Karate champion Alvin Karaqi with the "Star of Public Gratitude" medal.
Karaqi, a karate athlete from Kosovo who represented Albania, brought home the first Olympic medals by winning a gold medal at the European Games in Krakow 2023.
"Another champion, another extraordinary example for everyone. In Alvin's case, he is a champion who has an outstanding quality, as while he can excel in highly challenging international sports competitions, he is also an everyday, tireless health servant in Switzerland, where the standards are the highest in the world, and professions like medicine are among the best in the world. In the latter, there are no medals, but if there were, it wouldn't be a surprise if Alvin received medals there as well.
He is an example for anyone who is willing to sacrifice and commit to their passion despite difficulties. He lives with the idea of reaching the top and is passionate about his homeland, living with the red and black flag as a part of himself, like his second skin.
This is not rhetoric; it is a visible fact for anyone who speaks to Alvin and hears him talk about his connection to his country. Alvin, besides being the son every parent would want, is undoubtedly the son-in-law every father-in-law would wish for. We hold these ceremonies to express our gratitude to champions and to set an example for our youth.