¡Viva Sport for Good!
With Halloween, or Día de los Muertos as it is called in Mexico, and the Formula One Grand Prix in full swing, the Mexican capital seemed like the place to be this weekend. It's been exactly one year since the launch of Laureus Sport for Good in Mexico and Laureus Academy Member Michael Johnson celebrated this milestone by visiting Laureus-supported Proyecto Cantera in central Mexico City.
Michael Johnson, who won four Olympic gold medals and eight World Championships gold medals, experienced first-hand how Laureus Sport for Good is supporting a wide range of organisations using the power of sport to help young people in Mexico. Accompanying him was Coco Nogales, the first Laureus Ambassador hailing from Mexico, and the country’s greatest surfer.
Proyecto Cantera works to promote and integrate education, positive values, life-skills and healthy behaviour through soccer. Their methodology has been designed by a group of psychologists, public health professionals and doctors based around the values of respect, honesty, fellowship, and recognition of achievements. Coaches employed by Proyecto Cantera deliver regular sessions in different organisations, including schools and NGOs, across Mexico City. Joined by Johnson and Nogales, children aged five to fifteen took part in a mix of football and life-skills sessions designed to develop and strengthen their values.
Later, Michael Johnson and Coco Nogales joined the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One team at the Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Night at the famous Ex Convento de Regina, in the heart of historic Mexico City. Laureus Ambassador and former Formula One star David Coulthard teamed up with them at a Day of the Dead-themed party to showcase the work of Laureus Sport for Good in Mexico.
Also at the event, Lewis Hamilton launched an auction for his 2017 race helmet and a signed replica of his 2017 race suit, donated by Mercedes-Benz Mexico. Also up for auction are a pair of Michael Johnson’s signed limited edition Nike trainers and an IWC Da Vinci Chronograph Edition “Laureus Sport for Good Foundation” timepiece. The online auctions are live until November 17 and all funds raised will go to support Laureus Sport for Good programmes in Mexico.
Mercedes-Benz Mexico also used the occasion to announce a new initiative supporting Laureus Sport for Good’s work in the country’s capital. The organisation, which supports Laureus around the globe, will donate a percentage of the profit from every car sold in Mexico City to fund Laureus’ ongoing work in Mexico - a move that will allow Laureus to reach even more young people through the power of sport, helping to effect positive social change.
