Klitschko Brothers Fight Against Poverty: Wladimir Klitschko Auctions Off 1996 Olympic Gold Medal To Raise Money for Charity [Video}

Wladimir Klitschko's charity work knows no bounds.

According to extramustard.si.com, the longtime heavyweight boxing champion of the world also "dabbles" in trying to raise awareness about the plight of his home country of Ukraine, in which extreme poverty forces parents abandon their babies, leaving thousands of Ukrainian children homeless or in orphanages.

He and his brother, Vitali set up a charity for the impoverished children, but in 2012, Wladimir decided to auction off the Olympic gold medal he won in 1996 and use the money for the charity.

Klitschko defeated Tonga' Paea Wolfgramm in the Atlanta Games for the gold. The medal received a $1 million bid.

The unknown bidder, however, returned the gold medal to Klitschko, according to AFP.

"Immediately after the sale, the buyer's representative announced his wish to leave the Olympic medal in the Klitschko family," the brothers' charity foundation said in a statement.

Vitali Klitschko is the leader of the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform and is a member of the Ukrainian Parliament.

Wladimir recently released a video on YouTube.com, pleading for Western leaders to help the people of the Ukraine, myfoxny.com reports.

The report said that the country has experienced widespread protests that have turned deadly because of the government's decision to shun Western ideals and embrace Russian politics. The protests started in November but grew in size and intensity after the government tried to disperse protesters, myfoxny.com added.

In the YouTube.com video, Wladimir says, "I am talking to you not as the brother of the politician. I am not a politician but a regular Ukrainian that asks for help for our suffering people.

"...On behalf of the majority of the Ukrainian people, I urgently request the leaders of the Western world to support us and help. Don't leave us alone. Peace."

© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Most Popular
Real Time Analytics