During the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, Australian practitioner Don Oyao, DC, who has treated athletes at Lillehammer and three other Olympics, became a Goodwill Ambassador for Olympic Aid, a charity affiliated with the Olympic Games. Olympic Aid was created to support peace and solidarity all over the globe by offering aid to children in poor or war-torn countries. During the 1994 Games, Olympic Aid collected funds from the Norwegian public, Norwegian and international sports organizations, cooperating partners, and sponsors of the Lillehammer Olympic Organizing Committee.
The charity certainly proved its effectiveness during the Games in Lillehammer. In conjunction with the Norwegian Red Cross, Olympic Aid contributed food, medicines, and wood burning stoves to war-ravaged Bosnia. The total monetary amount equalled 20 million Norwegian kroners. The contributions were crucial. Bosnia is suffering the worst shortages of food, water, and medicine since World War II.
Lillehammer Olympic Aid also contributed funds to assist children in Guatemala, a country where civil conflict during the past five years has accounted for some 4,000 deaths, and 1,500 disappearances. Over the last decade 32 massacres have been recorded, and hundreds of thousands of Guatemalan civilians have fled the country. Norwegian humanitarian organizations and Olympic Aid joined forces to raise funds to help the victims of this civil war. Dr. Oyao is planning a visit to Guatemalan project areas in his capacity as Olympic Aid ambassador. Fundraising plans for the charity are already underway for the 1996 Atlanta Games, and the Sydney, Australia Games in 2000.
"As an active participant in the Olympic movement in the past 10 years, I knew I would be doing certain things, but some things I never dreamed about," said Dr. Oyao. "After serving in the Lillehammer Olympic Aid program in Norway, I have discovered a clear vision for my purpose in the Olympic movement."
DCs who are interested in working with Olympic Aid may write to Dr. Oyao, 39 Belford Road, East Kew, Victoria, Australia 3102.
