Federica Pellegrini will auction off the goggles she wore when she won 200m freestyle gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing to raise funds for the battle against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Italian has contributed 59 items including sports memorabilia, designer clothes and signed pictures for an online auction on Tuesday 14 April with all the money raised going to the Pope John XXIII Hospital in Bergamo, the epicentre of the outbreak in Italy.
Federica Pellegrini in 2008. Photo Courtesy: Reuters / Swimming World Archive
Pellegrini posted her intentions on social media, saying:
“I organized an online auction of 59 memorabilia – including the Olympic gold goggles in Beijing 2008 – the proceeds of which will be entirely donated to the Bergamo hospital ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII.❤️❤️
This auction will take place on Tuesday 14 April, from 15.30 to 17.30.??TOMORROW??
You can find the direct link in my BIO from which the page with the registration / pre-registration form will open.???
“As indicated in the form, the user will receive, about 24 hours before the auction start time, the link and credentials to access an innovative event, live streaming.????
In compliance with current regulations, ??I will be in connection from my home, as well as the auction hitter: Frank Matano.????see All of you TOMORROW ????”
Peaty raised more than $16,000 (£13,000) for the National Health Service (NHS) in Britain.