| This month, 10,500 men and women will be transformed from top-of-their-game athletes into world-class Olympians. To help them realize the powerful and positive impact they can have on others in their new role, Johnson & Johnson and the international humanitarian organization Right To Play have united to inspire this new class of Olympians to open their "Hearts of Gold" and make a difference in their communities and around the world. |
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Through Hearts of Gold, every Beijing Olympian will be honored with an exclusive gift, a pair of beautiful, Chinese-themed bracelets that are specially designed to be personally enjoyed to commemorate one's role as an Olympian and shared as a "thank you" with someone who supported the athlete's journey to Beijing. Through the simple act of giving away the companion bracelet, every Olympian will touch someone else's life with the Olympic spirit.
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The Hearts of Gold program also will engage Olympians in several ways that encourage them to support Right To Play's mission of using sport and play to serve children and communities that have been affected by war, poverty, and disease.
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Specifically, Olympians can apply for a fully funded Service Fellowship with Right To Play; sign up for the Medal Grants Program and Johnson & Johnson will make a financial contribution to the organization on behalf of every medal won by a Right To Play Athlete Ambassador; and/or contribute an item to the Right To Play Auction, to help support the organization's important health and educational programs around the world. |
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"Becoming an Olympian is a life-changing event. After competing in Athens, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with several different organizations to promote the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle, and I've witnessed first-hand the impact we can make, especially on kids.
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As an Olympian competing in Beijing, I've been focusing on my training, of course, but even within the community of athletes, we all have the opportunity to give back and make a difference. I'm honored to be a captain for the US Women's Swim Team for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. I want to lead by example and encourage my teammates to share their Olympic experience by connecting with and inspiring others in their communities.
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| I'll be competing in as many as six events in Beijing, and I'm excited to know that any medals I win will support Right To Play through the Hearts of Gold medal grants program. It's amazing to think that if I achieve my personal Olympic dreams, it also means I'll be helping children through Right To Play. It's a privilege to share the Olympic experience in this way." |
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"People always ask me what my most memorable moment was in my career, and I always answer by saying, 'My most memorable moments continue to happen today. When I have the opportunity to inspire someone to envision more for their lives or to reach their full potential, I try to capture it.
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Whether it's through writing, coaching, working with non-profits, or visiting schools and corporations, I try to impress upon people that it's not about the glamour of the gold, or the endorsements or reaching a certain salary, but it's more important to make a difference in someone else's life. That's what I think makes you a more fulfilled person.
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| I began competing in gymnastics at the age of 6 and spent the better part of 20 years in a gym. But now, I have found a new purpose and that is working to improve the lives of others and sharing my own story of trials and triumphs. My hope is that I can make a positive impact with all that I do." |
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"I remember coming back to China three years ago and being deeply moved that even though I was no longer competing, people walking past me in the street still recognized me as an Olympic athlete. It was then that I realized I could do more as an Olympian to help others.
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I started to get involved with many different and diverse charitable programs. Last year, I presented the Gao Min Scholarship to a young girl who won the award for a second time. Tears streamed down my face during her acceptance speech; I was inspired by being able to help someone else.
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| It is the never-ending opportunity to help others that motivates me every day. Whether you are an ordinary citizen or a famous athlete, everyone should act on their feelings of compassion and start making a difference. Any act of kindness counts, even the smallest one. I hope more athletes will give back to their communities. I know that if athletes come together we can inspire others to change the world." | ||||||
