The 33 miners saved from underground hell in Chile were honored as heroes Monday at the presidential palace but lost out at soccer against a team of rescuers captained by President Sebastian Pinera.
The 33 miners saved from underground hell in Chile were honored as heroes Monday at the presidential palace but lost out at soccer against a team of rescuers captained by President Sebastian Pinera.
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Decked out in crisp dark business suits, the men received a medal marking Chile's independence bicentennial -- while they were trapped underground -- and a mini-replica of the Phoenix capsule that hoisted to them freedom October 13.
The workers, ranging in age from 19 to 63, were trapped for a record 69 days in the San Jose mine and lived for the first 17 days before their discovery off just a tiny spoonful of tinned tuna or salmon each day.
Their dramatic rebirth, pulled painstakingly out of the mine one-by-one by equally heroic rescuers who risked life and limb to get them out, captured the world's attention and made them a media sensation.
Thousands of Chileans massed outside the presidential palace, applauding and cheering the miners as they strode into the the palace like Hollywood stars on a special red carpet rolled out for the occasion.
The miners admitted to being overwhelmed by the reception.
"We never imagined that we would get so much support. It gives me goosebumps," confessed the youngest, 19-year-old Jimmy Sanchez.
"This is amazing. We never thought there would be so many people," said Franklin Lobos, a former professional football player.
Pinera gave a Chilean flag to the 32 Chilean miners and a Bolivian flag to Carlos Mamani, the only foreigner in the group.
The flags were handed out in the same order the men made it up to the surface.
"All of you have taught us to value what really matters," Pinera said, calling the men models of courage. "We are never going to leave behind another Chilean... because we have learned our lesson."
Pinera then led the squad of officials and rescue workers in the football friendly at Santiago's National Stadium.
The match, organized by the government as part of the tribute fun, involved 16 players rotated in and out, and about 2,000 fans looked on.
Both teams, the rescue workers and officials in red, the miners in white, had the number 33 emblazoned on the backs of their jerseys to honor the survival feat.
But the miners could not emerge victorious on the pitch.
"We agreed that whichever side won got to go back to the presidential palace, and that the losing side had to go back to the bottom of the mine. So now we have to go back there and rescue these guys again," Pinera joked.
Shift leader Luis Urzua, who was out of the mine, said "it was hard work. It was 70 days of emotions, work and suffering.
"Thank you to Chile, and to everyone who prayed for us. We are so very grateful to all of you. Thank God that we got out, and that mining is in a better place for all of this."
Pinera said he would soon be announcing new measures to improve protection for miners and other workers. He did not immediately provide more details.
Journalists from every corner of the globe descended on Chile's remote San Jose mine in the Atacama desert to document the amazing tale of their survival against the odds, after they had been all but given up for dead.
Since their rescue, the men have had to try to settle in to their new lives in the media spotlight with psychologists warning that the adjustment will be difficult for some to bear.
The miners appeared in good spirits though some have showed signs of stress in recent days.
"They look content to me. Though some still have not had the rest they need. But they are taking it all in good spirits. It has been great to see them back with their families," said psychologist Alberto Iturra.
Health Minister Jaime Manalich said "it would be naive to think that it will not be difficult for them. But they are getting good psychological care."
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