In September 2000 Mozambican Maria de Lurdes Mutola crowned her brilliant sporting career with Olympic gold.
This was the first Olympic gold medal for the country and bore testimony to Mutola’s dedication and perseverance. Known as the “Maputo Express”, she has since bought home gold several times.
The story of Mutola’s rise from poverty to Olympic gold is one of the most dramatic in modern sport. Raised in a shantytown in Maputo, the young runner went on to win many international competitions and helped put Mozambique on the map.
She is now a national role model who is helping the country’s youth achieve their dreams.
The athlete has set up the Maria Mutola Foundation to help youth reach their sporting and academic potential.
She has also made significant financial donations to her hometown, Maputo, for housing projects.
The foundation also works with the Mozambican ministry of health and Unicef in campaigning for immunisation against measles and polio.