Giving the shirt off his Olympic back
Bryan Clay of Glendora, the 2004 Athens Games decathlon silver medalist and a member of the Beijing-bound U.S. track and field team, also is a champion of good causes, including volunteering for extra drug testing to prove he's clean.
But he's taking clean to another level by participating in a charity program called "Take Your Shirts Off to WIN," which is backed by WIN detergent. The program calls for people to donate workout clothes to WIN, which will wash them and send them to Giving is Winning, an organization promoting athletic activity among kids living in refugee camps around the world.
Donations can be made at participating retailers. A list is available at sweatlifter.com, which indicates there are at least two Southern California locations -- in Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach.
-- Helene Elliott
Photo: Bryan Clay holds his son, Jacob, after winning the decathlon 1,500-meter event during the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, Ore., on June 30. Credit: Rich Clement / European Pressphoto Agency
Very cool! I love to see athletes taking part in worthwhile causes like Bryan Clay is doing! It is nice to see a positive light cast on the track and field world once in a while, rather than just all the news about drug use. Good article!
Posted by: Sarah | July 29, 2008 at 09:13 PM
Wanted to know if your company is unable to have anything for bakersfield ca. for the: “Take Your Shirts Off to WIN.” donations.. How to start one if need be and where to submit donations??
Would love to donate my tshirt while riding bike (after the ride, so no one gets the wrong idea lol..) Saw the link on Bryan Clays myspace page. I am limited on transpertation and wanted to know if there will be anything for drop off donations in the bakersfield ca. area.. Mahalo for your time..
Posted by: Barry ishimine | July 30, 2008 at 03:35 AM
Good article! It/s nice to see athletes like Bryan taking part in charitable causes. I'm sure there are far more "clean" athletes than "dirty" athletes, yet we only hear about the "dirty" ones. Keep up the good work, Bryan, and we'll see you on the winner's stand in Beijing!
Posted by: Bob | July 30, 2008 at 08:57 AM
It is awesome to see such a great guy experiencing so much sucess. He is competing on a very uneven field where he is competing clean of enhancing drugs and so many other athletes are not. It's an uphill battle, but he has been kicking tail like a machine. Furthermore, to see his heart in helping those in need is truely heartwarming. I hope the Lord continues to bless him! Can't wait to watch what he does at Beijing!!!!
Posted by: Ragin' Tagin' | July 31, 2008 at 09:41 AM