NPR : U.S. Gold Medalist Donates Award to Darfur Refugees

This was very cool. I'm pretty jaded about the activism of celebrities (for example, the pet rescue squads led by celebs in New Orleans). This usually smacks of self-righteousness and public relations and flies in the face of multi-million dollar divorce settlements, sex-party yachting, and mansion-swapping that will often precede or follow such actions.

This guy managed to be incredibly genuine. In part, perhaps, because he is not a celebrity. In part because of his frank assessment of the relative importance of "people sliding around in a circle on ice wearing tights" vs. world hunger. Perhaps more than that because prior to his winning the gold, he was not even close to being a celebrity. And because he really could have used the money.

I look forward to seeing what happens to this guy. Does he become a celebrity himself, appearing on Wheaties boxes, guest roles on Real World-Road Rules Challenge IV, and endorsements? Nothing wrong with that but what kind of person will he become?

Something to Ponder.