Right To Play kicks off its online auction of athletes’ Olympic memorabilia and sports gear from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. In the ultimate show of sportsmanship, Olympians are donating items they hope will raise money in support of Right To Play programs. Right To Play is an international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play programs to improve health, develop life skills and foster peace for children and communities around the world.

Olympic athletes from around the world, including Canadian Kayaking champion Adam van Koeverden, U-S track and field star Lauryn Williams, British swimmer Mark Foster and Spanish basketball sensation Jose Calderon, are just some that are getting involved. Athletes are visiting the Right To Play booth in the Olympic Village to learn more about the auction. Some of the athletes are filming short video clips in the Lenovo i.lounge describing their journey to the Olympics. Video clips are then posted online with the visual, description of the auction items and starting bid.

The Right To Play online auction runs through August 25 and items will be added daily. Some of the items online will include:

1. Canadian Flag bearer and Olympic kayaker, Adam Van Koeverden, donated his Flag Bearer’s sash, signed by the Canadian Olympic team present at the Beijing Opening Ceremonies.

2. 2008 Olympic Handball Penant/Flag has been signed and donated by the Chinese Handball Team

3. Left hand prints on rice paper with signatures from a variety of Olympians in celebration of International Left-Handers’ Day

4. Signed Olympic Tennis Uniform (Swiss) donated by Timea Bacsinszky

5. Signed Olympic Badminton uniform (Ukraine) donated by Larisa Griga

Originally posted on August 15, 2008 @ 11:23 pm