Por Redaccion 
The Minister of Culture and Sports, Patricia del Pozo, has highlighted the example of overcoming 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, 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 in 2024.
In this regard, the Minister pointed out that Carolina Marín received the Andalusian Medal 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 awarded by the Andalusian 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, along with other Andalusian Olympic colleagues with worldwide recognition, sharing with young people their passion for sports». Since 2019, the athlete from Huelva 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 the new generations.
Key Values
During the event, Del Pozo pointed out that sports «contain key values such as work, dedication, camaraderie, sportsmanship, or responsibility that we must incorporate into society, while 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 Absolute Badminton Championship in 2026, at the Carolina Marín Sports Palace, a top-level sports facility named after her.» The event will take place from April 6 to 12, 2026 and will have as a major attraction the athlete from Huelva, distinguished 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 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 2021 World Championships and the 2018 Absolute European Championship, a title that Carolina Marín won at home.
Finally, Del Pozo highlighted 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 Higher Sports Council. 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.»