Nine ‘Elite’ Female Athletes Named Pantene’s Newest Beauty Ambassadors (PHOTOS)

Pantene, the world's leading hair care brand, has announced the names of 9 of 11 elite female athletes - the brand's newest beauty ambassadors. The names of the other two will be announced later.

The chosen sportswomen are a part of the brand's first global marketing campaign, meant to support the Olympic Games, at which the athletes will provide proof that, regardless of their training for the Olympic Games, Pantene's performance helps give them beautiful hair. The campaign will be launched in June.

Pantene is proud to support these athletes as they compete to win on the world stage. As a beauty brand, we help them look their best, so they shine, said Kevin Crociata, Marketing Director of North American Hair Care at Procter & Gamble (P&G).

The athletes have been chosen from various sports, including swimming, tennis, gymnastics, cycling, diving and volleyball. Six Olympic gold medalists and numerous world champions and top-rankers feature in the list.

The nine of the 11 athletes are:

Photo: Pantene Handout/REUTERS

1. Natalie Coughlin, Swimming Natalie Coughlin of United States is 11-time Olympic medalist and multiple international competition medalists. “I am so proud to be a part of the new Pantene campaign and appreciate that Pantene is showcasing the beauty of female athletes all around the world. I spend a lot of time in the pool and I need a product that truly performs,” Coughlin said at a news conference in New York, Jan. 26, 2012, announcing a partnership with Pantene.

Photo: Pantene Handout

2. Gisela Dulko, Tennis Argentina’s Dulko is Tennis top ranked global doubles player. Pictured is the preview of Dulko’s Pantene print campaign, which launches in June 2012. Pictured is a preview of Dulko's Pantene print campaign, which launches in June 2012.

Photo: Pantene Handout/REUTERS

3. Paola Espinosa, Diving Mexico’s Espinosa is two-time Olympian and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games bronze medalist. Espinosa performs during the preliminary round of the women's 3m springboard diving event at the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai July 22, 2011 (Right), and is seen in a preview of Pantene print campaign (Left), which launches in June 2012.

Photo: REUTERS/Pantene Handout

4. Evgeniya Kanaeva Russia’s Kanaeva is Rhythmic Gymnastics 2008 Olympic gold medalist. Kanaeva performs with the ball during the final of the Hungarian Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Budapest March 8, 2009 (Right), and is seen in a preview of Pantene print campaign (Left), which launches in June 2012.

Photo: REUTERS/Issei Kato

5. Jaqueline Carvalho, Volleyball Brazil’s Carvalho is Beijing 2008 Olympic Games gold medalist and Brazilian National Team striker.

Photo: UTERS/Stefano Rellandini

6. Annamay Pierse, Swimming Canada’s Pierse is an Olympian and world record holder in the 200m breast stroke. Pierse reacts after setting the world record in the women's 200m breaststroke swimming semi-final at the World Championships in Rome July 30, 2009.

Photo: Pantene Handout

7. Victoria Pendleton, Cycling Great Britain’s Pendleton is Olympic gold medalist and eight-time world champion. Pictured is a preview of Pendleton's Pantene print campaign, which launches in June 2012.

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