Carolina Mendes
Portuguese footballer. She has played for clubs in Spain, Italy, Russia, Sweden, Iceland, and Portugal, including Sporting CP and SC Braga. Mendes debuted for Portugal's national team in 2007 and made history by scoring the country's first goal in a major tournament at UEFA Women's Euro 2017. Her achievements include winning the Campeonato Nacional Feminino and Taça de Portugal with SU 1º de Dezembro. Mendes is respected for her versatility and experience in women's football.
Joanna Pardos
Journalist, writer, and director, renowned for her impactful projects such as "Alexia: Labor Omnia Vincit" (2022) and the recent documentary "It's All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football" (2024). Her work excels at capturing pivotal moments in sports and culture, showcasing her skill in navigating complex narratives with exceptional professionalism. Pardos is also a passionate advocate for gender equality, using her storytelling to highlight important social issues and inspire meaningful change.
Pedro Chagas Freitas
Pedro Chagas Freitas is a celebrated Portuguese writer, journalist, creative writing trainer, and speaker, known for his prolific literary career and keen observations on society. His work traverses themes of human connection, empathy, and justice, reaching readers and audiences with emotional depth and authenticity.
Pedro’s two most recent books, the acclaimed "O Hospital de Alfaces" and the children’s story “O Rei Tigão,” are heartfelt tributes to his son Benjamim, who was diagnosed with a rare liver disease (alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency) and underwent a liver transplant. This profound life experience led Pedro to create the concept of emortia: the capacity to feel the pain of another as if it were one's own, especially in the context of a loved one’s suffering. It is precisely this unique empathy that enables Pedro to write with such extraordinary depth. As a social observer, he understands the necessity of giving voice to those who have none, in order to promote social changes that are necessary to reduce so much unnecessary pain.
This unique empathy is reflected in both his writing and public speaking, empowering him to shed light on the realities and struggles of those who often go unheard, making his books essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the depths of human experience.
Beyond literature, Pedro has become a prominent advocate for social causes. He is dedicated to challenging the status quo, also in sports, by calling for greater visibility for women athletes and broader representation of diversity. Pedro actively encourages media, institutions, and the public to recognize the achievements of female athletes and to create inclusive environments free from discrimination or bias. As our ambassador, Pedro champions equity and fairness, believing that by building a better sporting world, we can ultimately create a better world for everyone.
Susana Feitor
Portuguese race walker. She has competed in 5 Olympic Games and represented Portugal internationally 57 times. She won gold in the 5 km walk at the 1990 World Junior Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, setting a championship record. Feitor made history by winning Portugal's first medal in international race walking, securing bronze at both the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki and the 1998 European Championships in Budapest. Her achievements include winning the World and European Junior Championships. Feitor held the national record for the 20 km walk for seven years. She served as president of the Olympic Athletes Commission from 2002 to 2005.
Carlos Pinillos
Carlos Pinillos is a distinguished ballet dancer and professor currently teaching at the Conservatório de Lisboa. Born in Madrid, he began his dance training at the age of five and quickly rose through the ranks to become a principal dancer with Companhia Nacional de Bailado (CNB) in Portugal. Throughout his career, Carlos broke barriers as a male ballet dancer in a traditionally restrictive field, becoming an inspirational figure for boys and men aspiring to pursue dance despite facing discrimination. His innovative and revolutionary approach to dance, combined with his strong advocacy for equality and inclusion, perfectly embodies the values promoted by Sports 4 All.
Beyond his remarkable achievements on stage—working with world-renowned choreographers and starring in many classic and contemporary ballets—Carlos is committed to using his platform to challenge stereotypes and promote access to sport and art for everyone. His dedication to excellence, courage in overcoming obstacles, and passion for supporting future generations make him a perfect ambassador for Sports 4 All, inspiring all young people to follow their dreams regardless of societal barriers.
Paola Borović
Croatian track and field athlete specializing in triple jump and long jump. A multiple-time national champion, Borović has represented Croatia internationally since 2010, competing at European and World Championships. She holds several national records and has over 30 senior national titles. Known for her consistency and competitive spirit, she reached the finals at the European U23 Championships and has medaled at Balkan Championships. Alongside her athletic career, Borović holds a degree in economics and is pursuing a doctorate, balancing elite sport with academic excellence.
Snežana Pantovi
Snežana Pantović is a renowned sports journalist and editor at RTS (Radio Television Serbia) with over 25 years of experience, recognized for her dedication to promoting gender equality and increasing the visibility of women in sports. An award-winning professional, she is actively involved in organizations such as "Women, Sport, Society" and the "Network of Women in Sport," and is a respected voice on the importance of media representation and leadership diversity.
Maria Teixidor Jufresa
Maria Teixidor Jufresa is a renowned lawyer and business leader from Catalonia, recognized for her dedication to advancing gender equality and driving social transformation in sports and business. As the first female secretary of the board at FC Barcelona, she played a pivotal role in the professionalization and growth of women’s football at the club. She serves as president of the Women and Business Commission at PIMEC, while actively collaborating with UN Women Spain.
Ana Seabra
Ana Seabra is considered one of the most significant figures in Portuguese women's handball, having the most international appearances ever with 215 total caps, including 176 for the senior national team, and was part of the golden generation that achieved Portugal's first-ever European Championship qualification in 2008
Joana Chong
Trained in CrossFit for 10 years, began competing at 16, and now focuses on Olympic weightlifting.
She holds national records and represents three teams across Portugal, Spain, and France.
Barbara Timo
Bárbara Timo is a Brazilian-born Portuguese judoka who competes in the -70kg class, currently ranked 14th globally, and has represented Portugal since 2018, winning notable medals including a silver at the 2019 World Judo Championships and bronze at the 2021 European Championships in Lisbon.
Janice Silva
Janice Silva, is a Portuguese futsal player born in 1997 in Amadora, Portugal, with Cape Verdean roots. She started her career at Clube Atlético São Brás before joining S.L. Benfica, where she won multiple national titles. Silva has represented Portugal’s national futsal team since 2015 and played a key role as a winger. Internationally, she has also played in Italy, winning a domestic treble with Città di Falconara. Janice has been recognized as the world’s best futsal player in 2020 and is celebrated as a leading figure in women’s futsal.
Carolina Duarte
Carolina Duarte is a distinguished Portuguese Paralympic athlete specializing in T13 sprint events for visually impaired competitors. Born in Lisbon in 1990, she has overcome the challenges of limited vision due to a genetic retinal condition by dedicating herself to sport as a path of resilience and empowerment. Throughout her career, Carolina has achieved remarkable success on the international stage, including winning the bronze medal in the 400m T13 at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and securing the silver medal at the 2024 World Championships. Beyond her athletic accomplishments, she is an inspiring figure who balances motherhood with high-performance sport and champions greater inclusion and visibility for female athletes with disabilities. Carolina embodies determination, leadership, and the spirit of Sports 4 All’s mission to promote inclusive and accessible sports for everyone.
Sandro Gulja
World Champion at the 2003 World Championship held in Nice, France along with two silver and four bronze medals from various World Championships, five silver and three bronze medals from various European Championships, a silver medal from the Mediterranean Games and a gold medal from the World Games. One of the two holders of the Croatian and World record in precision shooting. The only Croatian bocce player who has won medals at all four official international competitions. He demonstrates through action that true inclusion means creating opportunities for all, regardless of gender or ability.In 2009 he became lecturer and head of the Bocce Coach Course at the Croatian Olympic Academy.
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