Polish Javelin Star Maria Andrejczyk Uses World Cup Platform to Raise Funds for Ukrainian Children
TOKYO – Polish javelin thrower Maria Andrejczyk is leveraging her participation in the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo to support children affected by the war in Ukraine, auctioning off her silver medal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to raise funds for medical equipment. The initiative began after Andrejczyk discovered the funds raised for her own training after her Olympic success were considerably more than needed, prompting her to redirect them to a vital cause.
Andrejczyk, who finished fourth in the javelin final at the World Championships on August 25th, has become a symbol of athlete activism, demonstrating a commitment extending beyond athletic achievement. The auction, launched on social media, quickly garnered international attention, highlighting the power of sport to address humanitarian crises.The medal ultimately sold for $120,000 to Domdev, a Polish supermarket chain, who then returned the medal to Andrejczyk.
“The victory isn’t the most critically important thing. Human life is most critically important,” Andrejczyk stated, according to Polsat Sport. The funds are being donated to a Polish medical foundation providing critical aid to Ukrainian children injured in the conflict.
while Andrejczyk’s performance in the World Championships final didn’t land her on the podium, her actions have resonated far beyond the stadium, showcasing a powerful example of using a global sporting event to make a tangible difference in the lives of those impacted by war.The initiative underscores a growing trend of athletes using their platforms to advocate for social change and humanitarian causes.
