Bolivian quad racer Nosiglia hailed as hero

Bolivian quad racer Walter Nosiglia, who grabbed third place in his division in the 2015 Dakar Rally, was hailed as a hero Tuesday upon his return home.

Bolivian President Evo Morales, accompanied by Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera and members of his cabinet, presided over the welcome and awards ceremony at La Paz's Plaza Murillo.

Nosiglia, who was third to cross the finish line on Saturday in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires, in a race that also traversed Bolivia and Chile, was named the Bolivian athlete of the year.

"Our respect and admiration for this first ever achievement: that out of racers from five continents ... out of so many racers, Walter Nosiglia took third place on the podium," Morales said as he presented the competitor with a medal and trophy.

Nosiglia, nicknamed "the desert wolf," also received 20,000 U.S. dollars towards his medical treatment, after breaking a rib in an accident during the rally.

Morales hailed other Bolivian competitors in the race, which he called the most dangerous in the world, including "Chavo" Salvatierra, Fortunato Maldonado, Sergio Mita, Luis Barbery and Marco Bulacia.

The Bolivian segment of the rugged off-road endurance race took racers through the world's largest salt flats, the 10,582-square-kilometer Salar de Uyuni. Endi