Mutola becomes UN ambassador.

Marie Mutola, Mozambique's world and Olympic 800 metres champion runner, was appointed honorary United Nations youth ambassador recently in recognition of her sporting success.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Mutola said she would use the position to raise HIV/Aids awareness, "I will use this great distinction to help increase awareness about the danger of Aids in my country, in Africa and the world at large," Mutola said at the ceremony organised by the United Nations Development Programme UNDP.

The 30-year-old three-time world outdoor champion and gold medallist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics advised hundreds of students at the function to develop an interest in athletics and avoid unprotected sex and drugs. Mutola, who is based in South Africa, became the first athlete to win the million-dollar jackpot awarded to athletes who win their event at all six Golden League meetings.

The Namibian/AFP