The campaign was launched earlier this month after Francis Dove Edwin, a two-time Olympian from Sierra Leone, who was appointed to the Presidential task force to combat the disease in his homeland, asked the WOA to help raise funds.

In order to do this effectively, the WOA has joined forces with Oxfam, one of the world's leaders in emergency response, and the United States' humanitarian non-governmental organisation MediSend International, a global leader and innovator in transforming healthcare systems in developing countries.

Prince Albert, who competed in bobsleigh at five Winter Olympic Games, said in a video statement: "Fellow Olympians, the Olympics made each and every one of us part of an international brotherhood.

"The people of West Africa need our help.

"Millions are suffering from the effects of Ebola and it is only going to get worse.

"We can help stop the spread of Ebola.

"Please support the Target Ebola campaign.

"Promote #TargetEbola and targetebola.org.

"Help save lives and stop the spread of Ebola."



The five-time Olympian joins Usain Bolt, the six-time Olympic gold medallist, and other Olympic legends, including Claudia Bokel of Germany, Sergey Bubka of Ukraine, Carl Lewis of the US, Koji Murofushi of Japan, Pernilla Wiberg of Sweden and Yang Yang of China, in supporting the campaign even though Dove Edwin is a convicted drugs cheat who was kicked out of the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria following a positive test for anabolic steroids. 

Speaking outside the Grimaldi Palace in Monaco, Prince Albert added: "As Olympians we are in a privileged position to help others who are less fortunate than us.

"It is our responsibility to spread the values of Olympism and provide support for those who need it most.

"That is why I am encouraging my Olympian colleagues, my friends in the Olympic family and those in the wider world of sport to help in any way they can by supporting the #TargetEbola campaign."

Last week, members of the South West chapter of the US Olympians and Paralympians Association, including 2014 US bobsled Olympian Johnny Quinn, joined volunteers at the MediSend headquarters in Dallas, Texas, to help load containers of medical supplies which are being flown to Sierra Leone as part of the campaign.

The WOA is appealing to the rest of its 100,000 strong Olympian community around the world to get involved and publicise #TargetEbola.

To make a donation to #TargetEbola, click here, or text TARGET to 70066 (UK only).

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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