Jamaica's most decorated female athlete, Veronica Campbell-Brown, is now a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.

Goodwill ambassadors are celebrity advocates of UNESCO who use their talent or fame to spread the organisation's ideals, especially attracting media attention.

Minister of Sport, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, who described Campbell-Brown as the darling of Jamaica's track and field, made the announcement on the arrival of a another set of athletes to the island yesterday afternoon for this weekend's Berlin Salute, a tribute to the brilliant performances of the island's athletes at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics.

Contribution to Jamaica

Grange hailed Campbell-Brown for her contribution to Jamaica, describing her five Olympic medals (three gold, one silver and one bronze), World Championships (one gold and five silver) and a dominant junior career, which started with the World Youth 100m gold in 1999 and ended with the World Junior sprint double in 2000.

"It is for these reasons that I asked UNESCO to consider her as an Ambassador for Sport and I am happy to announce that Veronica will accept the role for which she was nominated, and that is UNESCO Champion of Sport for Peace," added Minister Grange, while saying Campbell-Brown will be "promoting gender equality in sports."

Campbell-Brown, the first female from the Americas to be named, said she was grateful for the honour.

"It is really an elite award and I look forward to carrying out my duties," said Campbell-Brown.

Bolt approached

Usain Bolt, the triple Olympic and World Championships gold medallist, has also been approached, but he is yet to accept.

Campbell-Brown also said it's nice to return to celebrate with her fans. She said the last two years have been interesting and uplifting. "Jamaica has taken track and field to another level," she added.

Meanwhile, hurdler Lacena Golding-Clarke, sprinter Lerone Clarke and 400m runner Leford Green also arrived yesterday and attended the press conference at the airport.

Long jumpers Alain Bailey and Julian Reid had arrived earlier in the day, while Isa Phillips, Jovanee Jarrett and Maurice Wignall were scheduled to fly in last night.