Bangladesh’s sole Nobel Laureate, economist, entrepreneur, and civil society leader Muhammad Yunus will become the second recepient of the Olympic Laurel.
He will be awarded on the Opening Ceremony of Olympic Games Tokyo on 23 July 2021.
Professor Muhammad Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Price on 2006 for founding Grameen Bank, which instilled the concept of microcredit and microfinance in our society. From then, he claimed the title of ‘world’s banker to the poor’. He is awarded the Olympic Laurel prize because of his contribution in the development of sports and for founding Yunus Sports Hub.
Professor Yunus said, “The Olympic Games and sport have the most convening power in the world. The Olympic Games unite the entire world in peaceful competition, celebrating unity in diversity. North and South Korean athletes marching together in the Parade of Nations at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 was a powerful reminder of the immense potential of peace through sport. The Olympic Truce takes forward the vision of building a better world based on fair competition, peace, humanity and reconciliation.”
Even the IOC president Thomas Bach praised the 81-year old Nobel Laureate for his engagement with athletes, the world of sports and the Olympic Community.
