2008 OLYMPIC GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE MEDALIST NATALIE COUGHLIN MAKES HER MEDALS COUNT FOR CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD
$45,000 Donation to Right To Play Made Through Hearts Of Gold Program

BEIJING, CHINA (August 12, 2008) The Olympic medals Natalie Coughlin has won in the Women’s 100m backstroke (Gold), 4x100 freestyle relay (Silver), 4x200 freestyle relay (Bronze), and 200m individual medley (Bronze) at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will have a longstanding impact not only for Team U.S.A., but for children in need throughout the world. Through the Johnson & Johnson Hearts of Gold program, the Company will make a $55,000 donation on behalf of Coughlin to international humanitarian organization Right To Play.

Johnson & Johnson launched Hearts of Gold exclusively for Beijing Olympians to inspire and enable them to give of themselves and help make a difference through simple yet meaningful acts of caring. The program includes numerous opportunities to support Right To Play, including the Athlete Ambassador medal grants program; a fully-funded, three-month service fellowships at one of Right To Play’s regional offices; and a live benefit auction on August 19^th at the Johnson & Johnson Olympic Games Pavilion.

Through the medal grants program, for every medal won by Right To Play’s Athlete Ambassadors, Johnson & Johnson will donate $20,000 per gold medal, $15,000 per silver medal and $10,000 per bronze medal to the organization. Ruben Houkes from the Netherlands earned the first grant for Right To Play when he won an Olympic bronze medal in judo on Sunday; Coughlin is the first to win gold for the program. The Ambassadors are selected by Right To Play for their ability to be positive role models for children and their willingness to work on behalf of the organization.

This funding will provide critical programs for Right To Play, including:

• GOLD: training 200 new coaches in HIV and AIDS education and prevention programs in Liberia and the implementation of sport and play activities for 6,500 children
• SILVER: Development and rehabilitation of safe play spaces in Uganda for 6,500 children or delivering child development training to 500 coaches in Jordan
• BRONZE: providing sport and play equipment for 6,000 children in Azerbaijan or training holistic child development for 300 coaches in Jordan

"It’s an amazing experience to win an Olympic gold medal on behalf of my team and my country," Coughlin said.  “And now it’s equally amazing to think that my success in the pool will help communities and children around the world.  There are so many different ways that Olympians can make a positive impact, and I hope I continue to do well so that we can raise even more funds for Right To Play.” 

Through the Hearts of Gold program, Olympians are supporting Right To Play, which uses sport and play programs to improve health, build life skills, and foster peace for children and communities around the world affected by war, poverty and disease.  To date, 40 Athlete Ambassadors/Teams from 13 countries, representing 25 sports have signed up for the medal grants program:

Throughout the 17 days of competition, other Beijing Olympians can also apply to become Athlete Ambassadors for Right To Play and elect to make their medals count for children. Right To Play’s Athlete Ambassadors believe in the vision to create a healthier and safer world through the power of sport and play and have a shared commitment to the best values of sport.

The Hearts of Gold medal grants program was inspired by the generous actions of Norway’s Johann Olav Koss, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and Right To Play’s founder, president and CEO.  In 1994, Koss donated a large portion of his medal winnings to start “Olympic Aid,” the organization that would later become Right To Play. Today, Right To Play operates sport and play programs and other projects in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

“Johann’s story demonstrates the powerful and positive impact an Olympian can have on others, as Right To Play has truly changed lives around the world,” said Owen Rankin, Vice President, Corporate Equity and Olympic Sponsorship, Johnson & Johnson. “Similarly, we wanted to provide a way for the Athlete Ambassadors competing in Beijing to accomplish two things at once celebrate their achievements while also making their Olympic moment last well into the future.” 

Contacts:

For further info, please visit http://www.jnj.com.cn/olympics/en/

About Johnson & Johnson
Caring for the world, one person at a time ... inspires and unites the people of Johnson & Johnson. We embrace research and science—bringing innovative ideas, products and services to advance the health and well-being of people. Our 120,200 employees at more than 250 Johnson & Johnson companies work with partners in health care to touch the lives of over a billion people every day, throughout the world. Johnson & Johnson is an Official Partner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a Worldwide Partner of the International Olympic Committee, and a Proud Partner of the United States Olympic Committee and the U.S. Olympic Team.

About Right To Play
Right To Play is an international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play programs to improve health, build life skills, and foster peace for children and communities affected by war, poverty and disease. Right To Play has projects in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Top athletes from more than 40 countries already volunteer their support for the organization as Athlete Ambassadors. Right To Play programs aim to teach children important life skills and values, educate communities around health issues and disease prevention, encourage integration and tolerance and empower people to make a difference in their communities.

Note to Editor: Natalie is a paid spokesperson for the Hearts of Gold program.