Veronica Campbell-Brown, Jamaican track and field star, to be named UNESCO Champion for Sport

París, 12 October

• © UNESCO/Michel Ravassard
• Veronica Campbell-Brown

Jamaican sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown, winner of five Olympic medals, will be designated as a UNESCO Champion for Sport on 13 October at the Organization’s Headquarters (6.30 p.m., Lowendal Lounge). The ceremony will be held in the presence of Olivia Grange, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture of Jamaica.

Ms Campbell-Brown will be designated in this capacity “in recognition of her advocacy for gender equity in sport and her dedication to the ideals and aims of the Organization”.

Born in rural Jamaica in 1982, Ms Campbell-Brown began distinguishing herself as an athlete in high school, competing internationally while excelling in her academic career. She made history at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when she ran the 200 metre race in 21.74 seconds, the fastest time in a decade, becoming the second woman to win two consecutive Olympic 200 metre events. She is also a six-time World Championship medallist.

Ms Campbell-Brown, said Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, in his designation letter, “serves as a model for all to follow, demonstrating what can be accomplished through determination and hard work. Her sporting and academic success can be used to promote the values of gender equity and encourage women throughout the Caribbean and the rest of the world to pursue their dreams.”

With this designation, Ms Campbell-Brown joins the ranks of UNESCO Champions for Sport, which include David Douillet (judo), Michael Schumacher (Formula 1), Serhiy Bubka (pole vaulting), Vyacheslav Fetisov (ice hockey), Justine Henin (tennis) and Jacqueline Silva (volleyball). They reflect UNESCO's concern to promote the values of physical education and sports in order to build a better future for younger generations.

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• Source:UNESCO Press Release N° 2009- 118
• 12-10-2009