Right To Play launches #RTPNATION: Global campaign unites 300+ Olympians & athletes who believe in the power of sport and play

TORONTO, Feb. 6, 2014 /CNW/ - To celebrate its global team of Athlete Ambassadors, and mark 20 years since founder, President and CEO Johann Koss made history at the Lillehammer 1994 Winter Olympics, the Canadian-based organization Right To Play has launched the Right To Play Nation (RTPNation): a campaign to raise awareness of its work and bring together an international community to celebrate the positive impact of sport and play in children's lives.

Founded in 2000, Right To Play is a global organization that uses the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity.

Led by Koss and supported by an international team of more than 300 sporting and Olympic legends, #RTPNation is made up of the organization's online community - connected via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - as well as one million children and thousands of local volunteer Right To Play Coaches, who lead play-based educational programs in more than 20 countries worldwide.

"Athletes competing at a global level have an incredible power to inspire children, even in the most disadvantaged communities around the world," says Koss. "Our network of Athlete Ambassadors exemplify the power of sport not only to create hope and inspire children to believe in themselves and become great citizens, but also to motivate and unite people in the belief that we can educate children and improve their lives through play."

The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics mark the 20th anniversary of Koss' historic triple-gold medal win at the Lillehammer 1994 Winter Olympics in Norway. His experiences leading up to the Games, sparked in him the desire to do more for children around the world. In Lillehammer, Koss donated his medal bonus to Olympic Aid, which marked the beginning of a movement that would become Right To Play.

More than 60 international Right To Play Athlete Ambassadors have qualified to compete in Sochi and form the base of #RTPNation. Others include: Canada's Adam van Koeverden, Rosie MacLennan, Joannie Rochette, Benoît Huot and Perdita Felicien; 2014 Australian Open Champion Li Na (China); 1988 Jamaican bobsled team member Devon Harris; LPGA star Suzann Pettersen (Norway); Two-time Olympic gold medallist in gymnastics Gabby Douglas (USA); the NBA's José Calderón (Spain), and; UEFA 2012 Champions League and 2013 Europa League winners, Chelsea Football Club.

To learn more about Right To Play and become a part of the #RTPNation, visit www.righttoplay.ca

About Right To Play

Right To Play is a global organization that uses the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity. Through playing sports and games, Right To Play helps children in more than 20 countries to build essential life skills and better futures, while driving lasting social change. Founded in 2000 by four-time Olympic gold medalist and social entrepreneur Johann Olav Koss, Right To Play is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and has national offices in Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and regional offices in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America. Our programs are facilitated by 600 international staff and more than 13,500 volunteer Coaches.

SOURCE: Right to Play

Ashton Lawrence
Manager, Communications
Right To Play Canada
+ 1 [phone] x333
[email protected]