Press releases
Australia: Olympians issue call to all sports stars to make a stand for human rights
Two Australian Olympians gave their support to Amnesty International this week and then issued a call to sports stars from both Australia and further afield to follow their lead.
Sally Foster, who reached the final of the 200 metres breaststroke at the 2012 London Olympic Games, has joined forces with legendary beach volleyball coach Steve Anderson to endorse the human rights organisation.
Sally Foster said: “Sport is genuinely universal, transcending cultures and eras. The likes of Jesse Owens, Yvonne Goolagong, Cathy Freeman and Muhammad Ali are all examples of those who have contributed to the advancement of human rights in different spheres. They have become icons of our society. As athletes we believe that we have the ability to influence key people, to reach out to new audiences and to help to make real change.”
Steve Anderson, who has been the coach of the Australian beach volleyball team for the past 16 years, added: “Sports people have the power to inspire a generation to make a difference and that’s why I'm calling on athletes and Olympians from across the globe to back Amnesty International and help give a voice to the voiceless.”
Sally Foster joins a growing number of sports stars across the world that have openly endorsed Amnesty International in the last few weeks. They include former NBA basketball star John Amaechi, British Olympic cycling silver medalist Emma Pooley, German fencer Monika Sozanska and Norwegian boxing world champion Cecilia Braekhus.