Schumacher honoured by UNESCO
And named as their “Champion for Sport”
Michael Schumacher / Ferrari
Following his latest Grand Prix victory at San Marino on Sunday, Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher was named UNESCO's second “Champion of Sport”. The four-time world champion received the award on Monday from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Culture Organization.
Schumacher, who has donated money to UNESCO for school-building projects around the world, will share the title of “Champion for Sport” with Olympic judo gold medallist David Douillet, who was honoured last year. This is not the first time that UNESCO has honoured Schumacher, as when his involvement with them began in 1995 when he donated money paid to him by a German magazine for exclusive photos of his wedding, he was named UNESCO's Special Envoy for Education and Sports.
"It is the education, and in particular, the education of children living in the most difficult circumstances that I have always wanted to focus my activities and support," said Schumacher after receiving his award.
Koichiro Matsuura, director general of UNESCO, called the reigning Formula One world champion a role model for young people and a champion of those in need.