Speedskating great Koss now a world-class humanitarian

[GregD]

Last week someone posted that speed skater Joey Cheek had donated his winnings to Darfur. Well, it turns out he challenged others, and the funds raised by today are a quarter million dollars!

Cheek rocks!



http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/torino2006/news?slug=ap-koss-stilltheboss&prov=ap&type=lgns


Joey Cheek started the windfall after winning the 500 meters Monday, announcing he was donating his $25,000 Olympic bonus for winning the event to Koss' charity. He challenged others to join him, and they sure have. More than $250,000 was pledged by Thursday, Koss said.

"It's absolutely incredible," Koss said. "I'm so thankful and humbled. Joey's done something that we would've had to work years and years and years to do as an organization."

Koss is no ordinary ex-jock lending his name and some of his time. This is a guy who won five Olympic medals (a gold and silver in Albertville in 1992, too), then earned a medical degree but opted to devote himself to humanitarian work.

He got hooked on bringing sports to children during a 1993 trip to Africa for a new charity called Olympic Aid. After Sydney in 2000, he felt that group wasn't doing enough, so he came up with a new concept and the new name.

[NC_Nurse]

1. That is so cool!

I saw Joey Cheek's speech. It was so nice to see an athlete more concerned with the welfare of others than with his own ego trip.

Go Joey!!! :toast:

[fishwax]

2. Very cool, I remember hearing some mention of this

and how Cheek said he wanted to use his moment in the sun to be productive. Bravo! :toast:

[Lisa]

3. I hope lots of athletes follow the example of these guys!

Really outstanding. I know that here in Canada, the media have been going on and on about who will get what kinds of medals -- but Koss and Cheek really exemplify the true Olympic spirit. I feel a bit embarrassed saying that they are great Americans, since this kind of gesture goes beyond nationalism ... but why shouldn't this be perfectly compatible with international vision?

[President Kerry]

5. actually Koss is Norwegian,

but that's why the Olympics are great and truly transcend borders. Everyone's a citizen of the world.

[Lisa]

6. sorry! you're right, of course ...

I had forgotten about Koss's nationality until some time after I posted.

[Catherine Vincent]

4. I know his parents are so proud of him!

That is what you call good people.

[tabasco]

7. Leadership by example.

We need more leaders like this in the world.

A guy who walks the walk.

Reminds me of another great humanitarian athlete - Roberto Clemente.

[Rainscents]

8. Joey Cheeck is a great humanitarian!

He deserve both metals and hope many more to come! Thank you Joey!