Thanks for the vote of confidence, Fiona - but I think you answered your own query! I have been advising on the gala for 15 years.
As for Ricardo, he is one of the unsung heroes of ballet - a close friend of Plisetskaya - and he has also helped Olga for many years.
These were not general “national or international dance awards” but specific recognition from the Ballet Icons team and whilst I can’t give you any criteria for why which dancers were chosen I can definitely attest to the fact that Ricardo, Aud and myself have done more than enough over many years for Ballet Icons and Ensemble events to have been included!