Maria Luisa Calle Sportswoman of the Year in Colombia

Maria Luisa Calle has been voted Sportswoman of the Year by newspaper El Espectador, at a ceremony carried out in the country's capital, Bogota. At the same time, road riders Libardo Niño and Mauricio Ardila, and mountain biker Leonardo Paéz were awarded prizes in other categories.

36 year-old Calle won the gold medals in the individual pursuit in the Pan-Am Games and Bolivian Games, as well as winning the gold in the individual time trial in the Bolivian Games. She was also able to claim the bronze medal that she won in the points race at the Athens Olympics last year, after successfully appealing a doping sanction.

Finally, Calle will be awarded the Sportswoman of the Year by ACORD (Association of Sports Journalists of Colombia) and will be honoured by the Colombian Cycling Federation.