The Minister of Culture and Sports, Patricia del Pozo, has highlighted the example of overcoming and effort of the Huelva athlete Carolina Marín at the inauguration ceremony as Honorary Doctorate of the University of Huelva, held this morning at the Faculty of Law, a recognition that adds to a successful sports career both nationally and internationally -Gold Medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, eight-time European champion, and Princess of Asturias Award for Sports 2024-.
In this regard, the Minister pointed out that Carolina Marín received the Andalusia Medal in 2018 as recognition of her sports career and achievements in badminton, and has been awarded on several occasions, twice as Best Promise -in 2009 and 2010-, and twice as Best Athlete -in 2014 and 2016- with the Andalusia Sports Award granted by the Andalusian Regional Government annually to the most outstanding athletes in the community.
In Andalusia, «Marín actively participates in the Mentor 10 program of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, alongside other Andalusian Olympic colleagues with global recognition, sharing her passion for sports with young people and children.» Since 2019, the Huelva native has been a mentor in this sports program, where she has been able to convey her mental strength, resilience, and commitment to gender equality, serving as an inspiration to new generations.
Core Values
During the ceremony, Del Pozo pointed out that sports «contain core values such as hard work, dedication, teamwork, sportsmanship, and responsibility that we must incorporate into society, while emphasizing the importance it has in all areas of any modern society.»
Furthermore, the Sports Minister recalled that «Huelva will once again host the European Absolute Badminton Championship in 2026, at the Carolina Marín Sports Palace, a top-level sports venue named after her.» The event will take place from April 6 to 12, 2026 and will feature the Huelva athlete as a major attraction, distinguished by the University of Huelva for an unprecedented career, being a pioneer in this sports discipline, for the scientific and innovative nature of her training, and for the values she conveys.
The celebration of the European Absolute Badminton Championship in Huelva in 2026 means that the city of Huelva and Andalusia will once again become the epicenter of international badminton after hosting the World Championships in 2021 and the Absolute European Championship in 2018, a title that Carolina Marín won at home.
Finally, Del Pozo highlighted that this event will be possible thanks to the joint effort of all administrations involved in the event, the Andalusian Regional Government, Huelva City Council, Huelva Provincial Council, the Spanish and Andalusian Badminton Federations, and with the support of the Higher Sports Council. This would not have been possible without the firm will of Carolina Marín herself, who wanted her city to once again host a competition of the highest level.»
