In September 1997, Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko created international aid fund
for the development of sports "Sports - XXI century" and are its directors.
Presentation of fund took place in Brovarskom school of physical training
(Ukraine), where Wladimir Klitschko once studied. Money from the fund were used
to renovate school's boxing hall and to purchase modern boxing equipment.
In 1998, restoration of Myhailovskuy Cathedral in Kiev was funded by Klitschko
brothers. The cathedral was destroyed in 1930's, only its high relief of Saint
Michael was saved in Lviv.
May 30, 1999, Kiev celebrated its birthday and festive reopening of
Myhailovskuy Cathedral, with the high relief of God's soldier Michael placed
between domes of cathedral.
At the end of May, 1998, Klitschko brothers gave their awards to their city
(Kiev): Wladimir - his Olympic gold medal and Vitali - the belt of European
Champion and Intercontinental WBO title. These awards were given to museum of
history in Kiev, were the special exhibit "A way to victory" was opened on
August 24, 1999. At the opening ceremony Vitali said, "I am proud of that our
success in sports help the whole world to learn and grow fond of Ukraine. These
awards belong not only to us, but to all the fans without whose support we
would not have accomplished this much."
On March 18, 2000, in the Kiev Place "Ukraine" the most prestigious awards show
in Ukraine - "The Person of Year" took Place. Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko won
the award of "Athletes of Year 1999", while Vitali had also won the award of
"Man of Year." The prize of "Ukrainian Pride" was also given to Klitschko
brothers.
On May 31, 2001, a charitable auction took place in Kiev (Ukraine) for school
"Life." All the funds obtained from this auction were given for construction a
school - boarding for children sick of autism, illness of Down and other
terrible illnesses. The most expensive item sold were boxing gloves donated by
Wladimir Klitschko.
17
December 2001, Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko participated in "Future Forum"
forum that took place in Augsburg (Germany). During the forum Vitali and
Wladimir presented report on a role of sports in a modern life and in the
future. The main theses of this report stated that sports are international, it
unites people and countries, and sports popularity will continue to expend as
the new generation of champions takes over.
The event, hosted by world-renowned author and consultant, Jorg Lohr, featured
speakers such as former President Bill Clinton and Professor Dr. Herman Simon
(Harvard University). More than 7,000 of Europe's most influential and
important leaders in various fields attended a conference that focused on world
politics, athletics, culture, entertainment, the sciences and economy.
"This was a worthwhile venture and one we were honored to participate in,"
Wladimir said. "My brother and I were involved in two of the roundtable
discussions on stage. The aim of the convention was to provide help and
guidance in giving people a better idea and perspective of what is going on in
the world and how to improve it for the future." In late January, 2002,
Wladimir Klitschko went to Berlin to speak along with German President Johannes
Rau and a handful of celebrities at a function, Wladimir said, "aimed at
helping foreigners learn more about Germany."
"The focus and the message of what we talked about was integration. It is
important that people from other countries learn about Germany - the history,
the language, the way Germans live today. But it is also important that Germans
accept people from other countries. It goes both ways. These are the kinds of
things I love to do when I am not boxing. Muhammad Ali, who is one of my
biggest idols, made quite an impression on the world. I am no Ali - no one is -
but I like to think I am a role model who can play a part in perhaps making the
world better for some people."
On February 12, 2002, in Berlin (Germany) Vitali participated in the charitable
action "Cinema for Peace" with the purpose to draw attention to a distress of
children in counties like Afghanistan. Vitali Klitschko and Ralf Muller, former
world famous bodybuilder with titles Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe, put an hour
of training with them as an auction item. One hour training with Vitali
Klitschko and Ralf Muller sold for 13,000 euros each.
In the middle of September 2002, Klitschko brothers announced that they had
agreed to work specifically for the UNESCO (the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization) program of Special Ambassador Ute Ohoven,
which supports more than 180 projects in 87 countries.
"We will do special projects and activities that include lots of speaking
engagements in support of UNESCO," Wladimir said. "This is an honor to work
with such a worthwhile and worldwide organization. It is a long-term
relationship and we look forward to helping children in need in developing
countries such as Africa, Asia, South America and other places. We will visit
different projects in these countries and try to raise money for school and
education projects." In December 2002, along with the official UNESCO
delegation, Vitali and Wladimir visited Brazil, where one of UNESCO's projects
was carried out. The purpose of this trip - to finance new projects, evaluate
performance of existing project, allocate new funding and attract public
attention to the problems facing third world countries. "Brazil is full of nice
and beautiful people. And the country itself is gorgeous. We visited musical
performances, dance classes, sport gyms that have been created or funded by
UNESCO. Those kids have huge desire to study and learn. We are glad that
majority of young people understand that only due to education they could have
a better future," Vitali and Wladimir commented on the trip. That same year
UNESCO has decided to open up new projects in Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan.
On February 11, 2003, Vitali Klitschko took part in charitable auction "Cinema
for Peace," which took place in Berlin fifty third time. The auction was
organized by international organization UNICEF and included over 600
celebrities from Europe and abroad. The most expensive item auctioned, for the
sum of 10,000 euros, were Wladimir Klitschko's boxing gloves used in the film
Ocean's 11 in a staged fight with Lennox Lewis. Altogether, the auction
collected over 250,000 euros for the "Children in War Regions" fund.
May 12, 2003, Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko were awarded "Kiev's Art Patron"
medals for their public and charitable work on revival of Kiev's monuments of
history and city architecture.
On September 21, 2003, Vitali and Wladimir took part in charitable golf
tournament, organized by Laures World Sports Academy, which is based in Monaco
and has great influence on international sports. Money collected from this
tournament were given to "Education for Children in Need" program, which was
represented by UNESCO's ambassadors - Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko.
In 1998, restoration of Myhailovskuy Cathedral in Kiev was funded by Klitschko
brothers. The cathedral was destroyed in 1930's, only its high relief of Saint
Michael was saved in Lviv.
May 30, 1999, Kiev celebrated its birthday and festive reopening of
Myhailovskuy Cathedral, with the high relief of God's soldier Michael placed
between domes of cathedral.
On March 18, 2000, in the Kiev Place "Ukraine" the most prestigious awards show
in Ukraine - "The Person of Year" took Place. Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko won
the award of "Athletes of Year 1999", while Vitali had also won the award of
"Man of Year." The prize of "Ukrainian Pride" was also given to Klitschko
brothers.
17
December 2001, Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko participated in "Future Forum"
forum that took place in Augsburg (Germany). During the forum Vitali and
Wladimir presented report on a role of sports in a modern life and in the
future. The main theses of this report stated that sports are international, it
unites people and countries, and sports popularity will continue to expend as
the new generation of champions takes over.
