Jamaican athletes Usain Bolt and Veronica Campbell-Brown designated UNESCO Champions for Sport

• Photo 1 © Al Burj / Photo 2 © Tom Harpin

To coincide with the opening of an International Congress on Sport for Development and Peace Whilst in Kingston (Jamaica) on 13 September, the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, has decided to designate the Jamaican sprinters Usain Bolt and Veronica Campbell-Brown UNESCO Champions for Sport.

The two Jamaican athletes, both from Trelawny Parish, distinguished themselves during the Beijing Olympic Games when Mr Bolt triumphed by winning the gold medal and setting two world records for the 100m and 200m races. Nicknamed the “lightening bolt”, he and his team shattered the world record in the 4x100m relay, held by the U.S.A. since 1992. On 21 August, Veronica Campbell-Brown won her 5th Olympic medal when she won the final of the 200m race.

The two champions are being named recognition of their commitment to the values of peace and tolerance, as well as equity and equality between men and women in sport.

UNESCO Champions for Sport are outstanding sport personalities, such as Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher; football legend Pelé and the former number one tennis player Justine Henin. This family of world-class athletes carries UNESCO's message all over the planet. By the same token, they reflect UNESCO's concern to promote the values of physical education and sports with a view to building a better future for younger generations.

• Author(s):Press Release n°2008-78
• Source:UNESCOPRESS
• 13-09-2008