Award winning sports journalist Evelyn Watta began her career as a television intern in her home country of Kenya. She climbed the ladder in a world of male editors proving herself time and again while setting an example for other women where few opportunities existed. Evelyn overcame sexism and broke the glass ceiling more than once. From intern to editor she gained recognition in TV and print and taught herself to be an all-in-one photo-journalist producing, presenting and filming coverage of major sports events. In 2008 Evelyn was recognized as the first broadcast journalist to offer real-time video coverage to and in Kenya while reporting from the Beijing Olympic Games. Four years later she was to be awarded a media honor for exemplary coverage of the London Olympic Games. And in 2014 Evelyn was named the CNN Africa Sports Journalist of the Year. Beyond the sports desk, Evelyn has led and contributed to numerous mentorship programs for journalists around the world as a way to encourage and support young women into the profession and show what is possible. She has served on media committees for National Olympic Committees and National Sports Federations. In 2007 Evelyn became the first African woman, and youngest ever executive committee member of the International Sports Press Association. Having served as Secretary General of AIPS from 2014-2016, she is currently serving as the Vice President and Coordinator of the Women Commission. Chris Stafford caught up with Evelyn at the Olympic Channel in Madrid, where she is working as a Sports Producer.
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