The charity certainly proved its effectiveness during the Games in Lillehammer. In conjunction with the Norwegian Red Cross, Olympic Aid contributed food, medicines, and wood burning stoves to war-ravaged Bosnia. The total monetary amount equalled 20 million Norwegian kroners. The contributions were crucial. Bosnia is suffering the worst shortages of food, water, and medicine since World War II.
Lillehammer Olympic Aid also contributed funds to assist children in Guatemala, a country where civil conflict during the past five years has accounted for some 4,000 deaths, and 1,500 disappearances. Over the last decade 32 massacres have been recorded, and hundreds of thousands of Guatemalan civilians have fled the country. Norwegian humanitarian organizations and Olympic Aid joined forces to raise funds to help the victims of this civil war. Dr. Oyao is planning a visit to Guatemalan project areas in his capacity as Olympic Aid ambassador. Fundraising plans for the charity are already underway for the 1996 Atlanta Games, and the Sydney, Australia Games in 2000.
"As an active participant in the Olympic movement in the past 10 years, I knew I would be doing certain things, but some things I never dreamed about," said Dr. Oyao. "After serving in the Lillehammer Olympic Aid program in Norway, I have discovered a clear vision for my purpose in the Olympic movement."
DCs who are interested in working with Olympic Aid may write to Dr. Oyao, 39 Belford Road, East Kew, Victoria, Australia 3102.
Dynamic Chiropractic editorial staff members research, investigate and write articles for the publication on an ongoing basis. To contact the Editorial Department or submit an article of your own for consideration, email
.