Activating Right To Play

Shani or Chad? Whatever. It's too bad their "Right To Whine" childish feud has diminished their impressive on-ice accomplishments.

Anyway, Joey Cheek looks like the hero of the bunch. By donating his U.S. winnings to Right To Play, the 26-year-old American speedskater has brought awareness to the non-profit organization, which establishes sports programs for children in impoverished countries. The $300,000 he helped raise by challenging other sponsors to match his donations will go to Right To Play programs in Chad for Sudanese refugees and to Zambia and other countries where Right To Play runs programs that teach lessons in HIV/AIDS prevention. "I don't know why more people don't do it," Cheek said. "I feel so great right now, and so happy. I think, when I look back, I'm going to be prouder of this than I am of winning a gold medal." Here's more on his story.

About 250 million children around the world are “Child Laborers,” employed in activities harmful to their healthy development, with little or no experience in the innocence of play. Right To Play believes “all children have a right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of activities." Here's more info on Right To Play.