Argentine teenage phenom Agostina Hein received recognition from her in nation’s Congress building this week. Argentina’s legislature awarded her the “Islas Malvinas” award on June 10, which is the nation’s Day of Affirmation of Argentine Rights Over the Malvinas Islands.
The Malvinas Islands are also known as the Falkland Islands, the British name for the archipelago off Argentina’s southern mainland coast. The United Kingdom and Argentina dispute the territory’s sovereignty, which briefly escalated into a war between the two nations in 1982.
The Chamber of Deputies’ (the Congress’ lower house) Sports Committee recognizes top Argentine athletes annually with this award. Hein and her coach, Sebastian Montero, were welcomed in the congress buildings’ Hall of Lost Steps to accept the award. BMX Freestyle Olympic Champion Maligno Torres also received the award.
Hein has launched an assault on her country’s swimming record books in the past 18 months, breaking and re-breaking over 20 NRs across several disciplines and distances. Most recently, she brought the 400 free national record down to 4:02.99. In April, she emerged as the most decorated athlete of the South American Youth Games, bagging nine golds and a silver. Hein is also a Junior World Champion, racing to a 4:34.34 at the 2025 meet to establish a new Championship, national, and South American Record.
Though still only 18 years of age, Hein is no stranger to national-level recognition. Last year, Argentina’s biggest soccer club, River Plate, brought out the budding star out for recognition. The Argentine Olympic Committee also named Hein its Athlete of the Year for 2025.
Hein shared photos from the event, which also featured Argentine Olympic Committee president Mario Moccia and revered Argentine sports journalist Enrique Macaya Márquez.
