Global perspective Human stories

Brazilian beach volleyball star named UNESCO Champion of Sport

Brazilian beach volleyball star named UNESCO Champion of Sport

Olympic gold medalist and Brazilian beach volleyball star, Jacqueline Silva, with adoring children
The Olympic gold medallist and Brazilian beach volleyball star, Jacqueline Silva, will partner the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in its efforts to promote education for all, including the disadvantaged and vulnerable.

The Olympic gold medallist and Brazilian beach volleyball star, Jacqueline Silva, will partner the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in its efforts to promote education for all, including the disadvantaged and vulnerable.

UNESCO Director-General, Koïchiro Matsuura, will appoint Ms. Silva, who won gold in the 1996 Atlanta Games, as one of the Paris-based Organization’s Champions for Sport in a ceremony tomorrow at its Headquarters.

Ms. Silva joined the Brazilian national volleyball team at the age of 14 and by 1994 was recognized as the best in the world by the Association of Volleyball Professionals. Two years later she became the first Brazilian woman – alongside her compatriot Sandra Pires – to win an Olympic medal.

In 1999 she founded the Jackie Silva Institute, which now has 49 centres across Rio de Janeiro aimed at developing new talent and offering opportunities to some 6,000 vulnerable and underprivileged young people. As well as training in sports, the centres provide workshops and lectures on HIV and AIDS prevention, teenage pregnancy and drug consumption.

UNESCO’s efforts to promote inclusive education are based on the universal right to quality education that combines learning and personal development, with a special focus on vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

Ms. Silva shares UNESCO’s belief that the values of sport are factors for peace and development, the agency said in a news release, adding that the athlete will plan an active part in educational projects, especially in Portuguese-speaking countries.

She joins the ranks of other distinguished UNESCO Champions for Sport, which include German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, three-time World Cup winner and Brazilian football legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento (also known as Pelé), Ukrainian Olympic champion pole-vaulter Serhiy Bubka and Belgian Olympic women’s tennis and Grand Slam champion Justine Henin.