Jamaican sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown, winner of five Olympic medals, is designated as a UNESCO Champion for Sport.
Born in rural Jamaica in 1982, 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.
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.