By Zanub Saeed
World champion runner Tyson Gay and Gillette teamed up for the "Get Started" campaign, and donated $25,000 to Gay's alma-mater Lafayette High School in Lexington, Ky., where the track star started his athletic career.
The donation being made by the collaboration will go to inspire other young men and women get a good start in life, as well as achieve their goals and dreams, as in general with the "Get Started" initiative, said Gillette in a press release issued on Monday.
"I am excited to be partnering with Gillette on this important program and to be part of this world-class group of athletes from around the globe," Gay stated for the press release. "Lafayette High School is a special place for me. I am proud to be able to give back to the place where it started for me in Lexington. I want to encourage the kids in their development through track & field to ensure they have the same chances that I had as a student and young man."
The $25,000 given to Lafayette High School will go towards upgrading their track and field equipment, noted the press release, and looking towards hopefully hosting a major track and field invitational meet by 2013.
"During his time in high school, Tyson was a three-time state champion in the 100m and also set the state record in 2001 - a record which still stands - so many of the students here see him as an inspiration and recognize that through hard work, they can achieve great things," Ken Northington, Tyson's former high school coach, said for the press release.
Gay will not be the only athlete collaborating with Gillette for "Get Started." The shaving products company partnered with 25 celebrity athletes to help give back to their respective communities through the campaign. They include U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte, Swiss tennis champ Roger Federer, British cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, and Spanish basketball player Rudy Fernandez, listed the press release.
"Gillette is intrinsically linked to great starts for more than 800 million men around the world every day," John Holding, marketing director, Gillette, added for the press release. "It is heartwarming to see Tyson give back to the community that gave him a great start in his career and we're thrilled he has taken time out of his training and preparation to be a part of this special event."
