OLYMPICS AND CHARITY

Yang Yang, a Chinese speedskater, has pledged her $10,000 bronze-medal bonus to Right to Play, a charity founded by the former Norwegian speedskating star Johann Olav Koss, reports the Associated Press. Canadian speedskater Clara Hughes donated $10,000 from her personal bank account to the charity after winning gold in the 5,000-meter race Saturday, reports Reuters. She called on all Canadians to give “whatever you have to give.” The charity, which helps children in poor countries participate in athletics, has raised nearly $500,000 during the Turin Winter Olympics, mostly as a result of athletes donating their prize money and encouraging others to give. (See The Chronicle’s article on the charity).