Words by Cheyanne Bryan
Olympians are renowned for their exceptional athletic prowess and accomplishments. However many of them use their status and platform outside of sport to dabble in philanthropic and charitable efforts. From supporting causes close to their hearts to empowering underprivileged youth and promoting social change, these athletes demonstrate that their dedication to giving back.
Here are 5 Olympians worldwide who have founded their own charitable organisations, showcasing their impactful contributions to the world through their unwavering dedication to giving back.
As of the making of this list, he is still the fastest man on Earth, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt established The Usain Bolt Foundation in 2011 which focuses on education and cultural development for children in Jamaica. Additionally the foundation promotes health and wellness initiatives for youths and combines his passions of supporting the next generations and helping kids of Jamaica to live empowered personal and academic lives.
It is impressive to start a non-profit at any stage in your career, but American Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps did it only 8 years into his in 2008. The Michael Phelps Foundation is a non-profit organisation with the mission to promote water safety, healthy living, and the pursuit of dreams for children and young adults. Through various programs and initiatives, the foundation provides opportunities for children to learn how to swim, as well as offering mental wellbeing support and awareness.
British double Olympic gold medalist Dame Kelly Holmes founded The Dame Kelly Holmes Trust to support and empower young people facing disadvantage by using sport to transform their lives. Through various programs and initiatives, the Kelly Holmes Trust helps young people build confidence, resilience, and life skills, enabling them to overcome challenges and reach their full potential. The trust works with a network of world-class athletes as mentors to inspire and motivate young people to achieve their goals.
The Eliud Kipchoge Foundation was founded by Eliud Kipchoge, a renowned Kenyan long-distance runner and Olympic champion. The foundation aims to support and empower young athletes in Kenya by providing them with opportunities for training, education, and personal development. The programs seek to nurture talent, promote sportsmanship, and inspire the next generation of athletes in Kenya. Additionally, the foundation may also partakes in community development projects and initiatives to improve the lives of individuals and communities in Kenya.
Spanish tennis player, Rafael Nadal is heavily involved in various charitable initiatives including his own foundation. The Rafael Nadal Foundation, which focuses on education and social integration. Founded in 2008, the organisation supports disadvantaged children by providing them with personal and social development opportunities through education and sports. Not only operating in Spain, the foundation collaborates with schools, social organisations, and other partners to implement projects that address the specific needs of the communities it serves.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Special Olympics. This nonprofit organisation is a global movement that uses sports to tackle the inactivity, stigma, isolation, and injustice that people with intellectual disabilities (ID) face. Find out more.
Refugee Action. This charity helps refugees build safe, hopeful and productive new lives in the UK. Learn more here. Find out more here.
Ash Den. This charity has the goal to accelerate transformative climate solutions and build a more just world, specifically working in the UK and Global South. Support them here.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Partnerships For The Goals.
