Tunis — Perhaps it's just because pole vaulting is not one of Tunisia's most popular sports that few people in Tunisia know that one of their countrywomen is the holder of both Tunisia's and Africa's pole vaulting records.

Currently living in the United States where she is pursuing her medical studies at Stanford University, Leila Ben Youssef is on a brief visit to her homeland where she was met on Tuesday by the Minister of Youth, Sports and Physical Education, Mr Samir Laabidi.

The Tunisian champion said that she was touched by the meeting during which the Minister reiterated the Ministry's support to assist the sportswoman in her international career.

Leila Ben Youssef also expressed her pride at the latest UN decision to endorse President Ben Ali's decision to proclaim 2010 an International Youth Year and vowed that she will contribute to make that consecration better known among young American people.