A group of 12 elite sports stars including Muhammad Ali, Andre
Agassi and Lance Armstrong on Wednesday launched a charitable
organization aimed at helping athletes do philanthropic work.
The founders of "Athletes for Hope" also include Warrick Dunn
(NFL), Jeff Gordon (NASCAR), Mia Hamm (soccer), Tony Hawk (skate
boarding), Andrea Jaeger (tennis), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (track),
Mario Lemieux (NHL), Alonzo Mourning (NBA) and Cal Ripken, Jr.
(baseball).
"We're all happy with what we've been able to do," said
seven-times Tour de France winner Armstrong, a cancer survivor who
has raised millions for cancer research.
"The idea is to hand it down to the next group of guys, so they
can be active citizens. It's an industry that's very powerful.
Sports can affect change."
The dozen founder athletes have already raised a total of half a
billion dollars for their respective foundations and charities. The
aim of the "Athletes for Hope," is to help other athletes connect
to existing charities or get help in starting initiatives of their
own.
Agassi, whose foundation was created in 1994 to assist at-risk
youth in Las Vegas, said "Athletes for Hope", or AFH, intended to
"pass on the passion" for doing charitable work.
"This for us is about sending a clear message to the children,
to show the world that it is OK to care," the eight-times grand
slam tennis champion said.
"One thing we do have in common is one regret -- that we didn't
start our charities early enough.
"We want to reach all those other athletes that have the desire
to give.
"Kids aspire to success, to trophies. All of that is a tool, a
vehicle to make a difference in other peoples' lives."
The umbrella charity hopes to raise money for initiatives
through the sale of an AFH Tag that can be purchased at
www.athletesforhope.org. Fans can also use the Web site to find out
about volunteer opportunities.
(China Daily via Reuters April 26, 2007)