Celebrating Athletes and Their Families at the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
Today, fans around the world will turn their attention to cheering on their favorite athletes at the Olympic Winter Games, celebrating the hard work and dedication these athletes have endured on the path to achieve their dreams. As we have done for the past decade, this winter P&G will continue our support for the athletes and their families, helping to tell the stories of their journeys to the Olympic and Paralympic stage and those who have supported them every step of the way.
U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist snowboarder Chloe Kim and her father Jong Jin are the focus of our newest film “Always There” launched today. This film explores Chloe’s real-life story -- the moments of teaching, support and care she received from her father to help her prepare for this moment. While the film features Chloe and her father, it’s about all the parents and loved ones who are always there and who prepare their children to stand on their own, persevere through setbacks, and embrace the challenges they face.
In addition to being inspired by the incredible athletic performances at the Games, we are proud to support the work athletes do for their local communities off the field of play. Building on the grants provided for the Olympic and Paralympic Games last summer, we are again celebrating and supporting the charitable causes athletes are passionate about. This year, grants were awarded to the charity partners of Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls from around the world. Here are some of their inspirational stories:
Simidele Adeagbo, Nigeria, Bobsleigh
Simidele is Nigeria’s first Winter Olympian and the most decorated African bobsled and skeleton athlete of all time. She has teamed up with LeadMinds Africa, a non-profit organization which offers programming focusing on helping youth and young adults find their passion and contribute to change in their communities. This grant will help ensure the growth of their work, including their Minds2Lead year-long leadership development program and mentorship program.
Kendall Coyne Schofield, United States, Hockey
Kendall is a two-time Olympic medalist and captain of the 2022 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team. Kendall and her husband, NFL player Michael Schofield, hail from the suburbs of Chicago and are passionate about giving back and serving the communities around them. The Schofield Family Foundation was founded by Kendall and Michael in 2019 to provide funding, support, and awareness to improve the lives of others in local Chicago communities. This grant will allow the Foundation to continue its community efforts, with a portion of the funding going to the Kendall Coyne Dream Big Park and the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago.
Justine Dufour-Lapointe (on behalf of the Dufour-Lapointe sisters), Canada, Freestyle Skiing
A freestyle skier, Justine is a two-time Olympic medalist in the moguls event. The youngest of three Olympian skiing sisters, Justine has always lived an active lifestyle alongside her siblings Chloe and Maxime. They are passionate about helping others, especially young women and girls, find empowerment through physical fitness. The Dufour-Lapointe sisters have been mentors in the FitSpirit program for three years, serving as ambassadors of FitSpirit’s initiative to keep teenage girls active and moving. This grant will allow seven schools and approximately 250 girls to benefit from FitSpirit’s physical activity offering.
Oksana Masters, United States, Para Biathlon and Para Cross-Country Skiing
Oksana is a four-sport athlete and ten-time Paralympic medalist, competing in every Paralympic Games – winter and summer – since London 2012. Oksana believes in the importance of recognizing unsung heroes who lend a hand in their community because they can make a tremendous impact in the lives of others. In collaboration with fellow athletes, Oksana founded Kindness Wins to celebrate and recognize acts of good on and off the field of play with Medals of Kindness for individuals doing their part to spread inclusivity and goodness throughout their communities. This funding will allow the organization to continue awarding Medals of Kindness and subsequent grants to individuals in communities across the country.
Chris Mazdzer, United States, Luge
Dan Cnossen, United States, Para Biathlon and Para Cross-Country Skiing
In 2018, Chris earned the Olympic silver medal in men’s single luge, becoming the first U.S. man and first non-European to bring home a medal in the event. The following month at the Paralympic Games, Dan also made history, becoming the first American man to ever claim a gold medal in a biathlon event in either the Olympic or Paralympic Games. These inspirational athletes are also role models to many – they are both passionate about mentoring children in underserved communities, guiding them towards a positive future and encouraging them to give back. They both work with Classroom Champions, an organization that provides underserved kids with social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum and mentorship programs to improve engagement, build growth mindsets, and inspire positive classroom culture. The grant will help Classroom Champions get closer to its goal of mentoring 1 million kids weekly by 2025, by enabling 3,200 additional kids the chance to participate in the program.
Danelle Umstead, United States, Para Alpine Skiing
Danelle is a three-time Paralympic medalist in alpine skiing. After losing her sight, Danelle found her passion at age 29 through skiing and the mentorship she experienced along the way. Determined to pay it forward, Danelle launched her own charity, the Sisters In Sports Foundation to provide women and girls with disabilities the same type of support she received. The grant will enable the Foundation to provide scholarship funding and athlete mentorship to women with disabilities.
In addition to supporting causes important to athletes, we’re also sponsoring a lineup of Olympic and Paralympic athletes from the U.S., China and Japan. As part of our ongoing commitment to support athletes, all those competing will receive everyday health and hygiene products and services from P&G brands during their stay in the Olympic and Paralympic villages. In the U.S., we will also be supporting athlete families as a sponsor of the Winter Games Friends and Family Celebration in Park City, Utah, bringing families together to cheer on Team USA athletes during Games.