The Gala of Champions
August 3, 2024
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
Sports for Peace Honours the Greatest
After honouring Muhammad Ali, the Greatest of All Time, at the 2012 London Olympics, Sports for Peace honoured the King of Athletes Carl Lewis and the most successful Olympian of all time Michael Phelps at the 2024 Paris Olympics in a momentous celebration of the Olympic ideals and the power of sports to create peace.
The King of Athletes Carl Lewis and the most successful Olympian of all time Michael Phelps were honoured for their incomparable athletic feats and exceptional philanthropic endeavors by award-winning actress, peace ambassador, and honorary chair of the Gala Sharon Stone and four-time Olympic gold medallist, equal rights activist and the greatest diver to ever live, Greg Louganis.
The President of the National Olympic Committee of France, David Lappartient, and 5-time Olympic gold medallist and first athlete to score a perfect 10, Nadia Comăneci, delivered inspiring words on the power of sports to foster peace and unity.
The Gala of Champions honored Olympic athletes from Ukraine, Palestine and Afghanistan, including rowers Yevheniia Dovhodk, Anastasia Kozhevnikova, Kateryna Dudchenko, and Daryna Verkhogliad, diver Oleksii Sereda, runners Layla Almasri and Kamia Yousufi, swimmer Valerie Tarazi, cyclists Yulduz and Firba Hashimi, and parataekwondo practitioner Zakia Khudadadi.
Sports For Peace celebrated the incredible leadership and groundbreaking efforts of Masomah Ali Zada, Chef de Mission of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team for Paris 2024. The Nobel Peace Prize Nominee began cycling when it was prohibited in Afghanistan and participated in the Tokyo Olympics 2021.
Paraplegic athlete and Olympic torch bearer Kevin Piette demonstrated the groundbreaking AI-powered exoskeleton developed by Wandercraft. The exoskeleton harnesses cutting-edge technology that allows Kevin to walk again and was met with a standing ovation for Kevin and the Wandercraft team.
The first professional football player with a heart transplant, Simon Keith, received a Sports for Peace award for his commendable philanthropic work. Through the Simon Keith Foundation, he has raised both awareness for organ donation as well as millions in support of families of youths who have undergone organ transplants.
The Gala of Champions auction raised funds for the Michael Phelps Foundation, enabling the creation of several new swimming education centers for children, promoting the power of sports for mental health, athletics, and wellbeing.
Oscar-winning actor and activist Casey Affleck sent a live message to the Gala of Champions and highlighted the potency of sports for the promotion of peace, praising the incredible efforts of Sports for Peace’s honorees.
Honorary Chair
Sharon Stone
Chair of the 2023 Cinema For Peace Gala, Sharon Stone is deeply involved in the global effort for peace and justice. She serves as the Global Campaign Chair for amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, raising millions for research and awareness. Stone also supports various causes, including homelessness, poverty, and disaster relief. Her philanthropy extends to children’s health and education, notably through her involvement with the Planet Hope organization, which she co-founded to support at-risk and homeless children and families.
With Nadia Comăneci, Greg Louganis, and the President of the French Olympic Committee David Lappartient
The 2024 Sports For Peace Honorees
Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, has turned his triumphs in the pool into a catalyst for change through the Michael Phelps Foundation. Established with his Olympic bonus, the foundation promotes water safety, healthy living, and the pursuit of dreams, particularly through its “IM Program” which educates children on swimming, health, and mental wellness. His commitment extends into raising awareness and support for mental health, embodying his dedication to impacting lives positively beyond the swimming lanes.
Carl Lewis
A legend on the track with nine Olympic gold medals, Carl Lewis has extended his championship spirit into the realm of philanthropy. Through “The Carl Lewis Foundation,” he supports a wide array of charitable activities including “Best Buddies,” organ donor awareness, and numerous youth fitness initiatives. His global influence is further evidenced by his role as a United Nations Ambassador for the Food and Agricultural Organization, promoting nutrition and health worldwide.cit
The IOC Refugee Olympic Team
Pioneered at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, the IOC Refugee Olympic Team represents the IOC’s commitment to supporting refugee athletes through sports at both a grassroots and a professional level. IOC President Thomas Bach calls the team “a symbol of hope for all refugees in the world” that “will make the world better aware of the magnitude of this crisis.” The 2024 Paris Refugee Olympic Team consists of 36 athletes from 11 different countries, competing in 12 different sports.
The Gala of Champions benefits Gold Meets Golden, Angel City Sports and Paralympic Youth Programs in the USA and France, as well as Sports for Peace programs around the world.
About Gold Meets Golden
Gold Meets Golden is a mission-driven organization that unites Hollywood entertainers, professional athletes, and medal-winning Olympians to raise awareness and support for sports-related causes. This star-studded platform garners enthusiastic participation from partners and celebrities alike. The main event, held at the onset of Hollywood’s prestigious Awards Season, is a glamorous brunch celebrating the synergy between Hollywood and the world of sports. All proceeds from their work go towards Angel City Sports, a Los Angeles-based non-profit that provides year-round adaptive sports opportunities for kids, adults, and veterans with physical disabilities or visual impair- ments. In addition, Angel City Sports provides free equipment, coaching, and competitive opportunities. Since opening, Angel City Sports has provided over 24,000 athlete experiences. Annually, ACS provides 250 clinics per year, across 25 sports.