by Dakota Murphey

The coronavirus outbreak may have thrown the world into chaos but it’s also helped bring out the best in people.

From Captain Tom Moore’s heroic fundraising efforts to the weekly ‘Clap For Our Carers’ campaign, there are numerous examples that demonstrate how we as humans have come together to unite against the virus.

The same story is also true within the world of sport, with hundreds of examples demonstrating how footballers, athletes, golfers and tennis stars have come together to help raise money for much-needed causes.

We have listed a few of these examples for you below, highlighting some of the recent work that sports stars have done to combat the pandemic.

Harry Kane

Every world-class footballer has to start their career somewhere and Tottenham’s Harry Kane was no exception.

During an initial loan move to Leyton Orient back in 2011, England’s talisman fell in love with the club and owes a lot to them for their support throughout his career.

As a way of thanking the club for their support, Kane recently announced that he will be sponsoring the shirts of his former club next season in a deal that both supports charities and helps the club through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Splitting the proceeds between the NHS, the Haven House Children’s Hospice and the mental health charity Mind, the shirts will all feature the charity’s logos on them, with Leyton Orient giving 10% of shirt sales to each of the nominated charities.

Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Tom Brady & Peyton Manning

It hasn’t just been footballers who have been helping fight the cause; superstar golfers Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have got in on the act too, discussing the prospect of squaring off against each other in a two-on-two event.

Two NFL icons – Tom Brady and Peyton Manning – were also planning on teaming up with the golfing icons in order to raise money towards helping the coronavirus relief effort.

However, when the match will actually be played is another matter. With sports cancellations happening left, right and centre, it could be a while until we see the match brought to life.

Until then, the four sporting superstars had better keep practising their short game at home, using the latest in golf simulator systems and investing in the best practice mats and accessories.

Team USA

Following the decision to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympics until next year, there was a lot of preparations left to be undone – from hotel arrangements and TV schedules to sports equipment and dietary plans.

As a result of all the food that had been pre-gathered by The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, USA’s Olympic team – the aptly named ‘Team USA’ – decided to donate all 18,000 pallets of their food to the Care and Share Food Bank in Colorado Springs.

Speaking at the time of the donation, Rick Adams – the USOPC’s Chief of Sport Performance and National Governing Body services – said that since these times are “incredibly difficult for everyone”, Team USA wanted to do “all they could” for the people in Colorado Springs.

Roger Federer

The tennis great Roger Federer and his wife Mirka recently donated one million Swiss francs towards helping some of the most vulnerable families in his native country of Switzerland.

With over 10,000 confirmed cases and a death toll of 103, it’s safe to say that the country has handled the pandemic pretty well, compared to some of the other European countries with much higher death rates.

Needless to say, the 20-time Grand Slam winner was keen to stress that “nobody should be left behind” before stating his encouragement for others to join his cause in combatting the virus.

Pep Guardiola & Lionel Messi

While Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi may be better known for their incredible relationship together at Barcelona, the two footballing giants have offered their support where it matters most – in the fight against the pandemic.

The current Manchester City boss Guardiola has donated €1 million to help the coronavirus in his native home of Spain, splitting his donation between a campaign being promoted by the Medical College of Barcelona, and the Angel Soler Daniel Foundation.

Meanwhile, Barcelona legend Lionel Messi has donated the same amount, helping both Spanish and Argentinian hospitals buy vital medical equipment such as gloves, masks and respirators.