La superación de Carolina Marín destaca en su investidura como Doctora Honoris Causa

The Minister of Culture and Sports, Patricia del Pozo, highlighted the example of perseverance and effort of the athlete from Huelva Carolina Marín at the inauguration ceremony as Doctor Honoris Causa from 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 Rio 2016 Olympic Games, eight-time European champion, and Princess of Asturias Award for Sports 2024-.

In this regard, the Minister pointed out that Carolina Marín received the Medal of Andalusia in 2018 as recognition of her sports career and achievements in badminton, and has been awarded in several editions, twice as Best Promise -in 2009 and 2010-, and twice as Best Athlete -in 2014 and 2016- with the Andalusian Sports Award granted by the Andalusian Government annually recognizing 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 Olympic colleagues from Andalusia and with worldwide recognition, sharing her passion for sports with young people and children.» Since 2019, the athlete has been a mentor in this sports program, where she has been able to transmit her mental strength, resilience, and commitment to gender equality, serving as an inspiration to new generations.

Core Values

During the event, Del Pozo noted that sports «contain core values such as work, dedication, teamwork, sportsmanship, and responsibility that we must incorporate into society, emphasizing the importance it has in all areas of any modern society.»

Likewise, the Sports Minister recalled that «Huelva will once again host the European Badminton Championship in 2026, at the Carolina Marín Sports Palace, a top-notch sports facility named after her.» The event will take place from April 6 to 12, 2026 and will have the great attraction of the Huelva athlete, honored by the University of Huelva for an unprecedented career, for being a pioneering figure in this sports discipline, for the scientific and innovative nature of her training, and for the values she conveys.

The celebration of the European 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 European Championship in 2018, a title achieved by Carolina Marín at home.

Finally, Del Pozo emphasized that this event will be possible thanks to the joint work of all the administrations involved in the event, the Andalusian Government, the City Council of Huelva, the Provincial Council of Huelva, the Spanish and Andalusian Badminton Federations, and with the support of the Superior Council of Sports. This would not have been possible without the strong will of Carolina Marín herself, who wanted her city to host once again a competition of the highest level.»