Vonetta Flowers Named Honorary Co-Chair Of The World Games 2022

BIRMINGHAM, AL — One of Birmingham's most famous athletes has been named honorary co-chair of the World Games 2022 in Birmingham. UAB alum and Olympic gold medalist Vonetta Flowers was given the honor Monday.

In her role with The World Games 2022, Flowers will participate in several events, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. She will also represent, support, and promote the message and mission of The World Games 2022.

After failing to qualify for track and field event at the Summer Olympics in 1996 and 2000, Flowers pivoted to bobsled and set her sights on Salt Lake City, eventually qualifying for the 2002 Winter Olympics. There, Flowers competed as a brakewoman in the two-woman Bobsled event with driver Jill Bakken.

Flowers and Bakken took first place, making Flowers the first African American athlete to ever win a gold medal in the Winter Olympics.

“Birmingham is home to me, so being able to help bring an international competition like The World Games 2022 to my home community, a place I love and care for so much, was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Flowers said. “I know what the thrill of winning gold is like, and I can’t wait to see that joy on the faces of those competitors that get to do the same right here in Birmingham.”

Prior to achieving Olympic glory, Flowers graduated from Birmingham’s Jackson-Olin High School and accepted a track and field scholarship to UAB.

Flowers became the Blazers’ first ever seven-time AllAmerican and racked up 35 Conference USA titles.

In 2011, Flowers was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame

The World Games is an international multi-sport event organized with the support of
the International Olympic Committee, will hold its 11th edition in Birmingham from July 7-17, 2022.

An anticipated 3,600 athletes will participate in more than 30 different sports throughout The World Games 2022.