Olympic legend U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps announced on the Today Show on September 2, 2008 that he will use some of the $1 million bonus he earned from Speedo for tying Mark Spitz’s 36-year record of seven gold medals in a single Olympics Games to start a foundation to encourage swimming programs.

Phelps earned the bonus from Speedo after he tied Spitz’s 36-year record of seven gold medals in a single Games. He then beat the mark, winning eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics last month.

This morning, the 23-year-old Baltimorean told NBC’s “Today Show” host Matt Lauer that he will travel to eight cities in the United States to promote swimming among children.

Warnaco CEO Joe Gromek presents Michael Phelps with a $1 million bonus check from Speedo for winning eight gold medals during the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics

The brief TV announcement did not address whether his plans to promote swimming would involve buying North Baltimore Aquatic Club’s Meadowbrook pool. Last month, Phelps told NBC’s Nightly News that he and coach Bob Bowman had bought a pool in Baltimore and were looking to change the sport of swimming. Bowman was named NBAC’s chief executive officer and is expected to start the job this month.

Source: Phelps to start swimming foundation

Photo credit: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America

Michael Phelps Today Show announcement video - September 2, 2008

A few days ago, August 28, 2008, Michael Phelps partnered with Visa to help introduce NYC children to swimming at the YMCA of Greater New York.

Olympic icon Michael Phelps splashed down in the city on Thursday - and left a trail of spellbound school-aged swimmers in his wake.

[…]

Phelps appeared at the YMCA on W. 14th St. before a phalanx of TV cameras to present a $20,000 check from Visa to support youth swimming programs.

The winner of a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics said he was anxious over his upcoming appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He’s hosting the show Sept. 13.

“I hope I’m literally not a fish out of water in that one,” Phelps said, noting that his friends would be in the audience to provide the laughs, if no one else did.

Source: Olympic hero Michael Phelps makes big splash with New York City kids

Photos: Michael Phelps teaching children to swim at Greater NYC YMCA, August 28, 2008. Photo credit: Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America

Related posts:

• Photos: Michael Phelps Wins 8th Gold Medal at Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics  
• Video & Photos: U.S. Men’s 4×100 Freestyle Relay Takes Gold 2008 Summer Olympics
• Eight Gold Medals Michael Phelps Sports Illustrated Cover August 25, 2008
• Michael Phelps Will Endorse Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes
• Video & Photos: Michael Phelps at Walt Disney World “America’s Homecoming Parade” 8-29-08

Video & Photos: Michael Phelps Announcement - New Swimming Foundation (Today Show Video) 9-2-08

The 9th Annual Art For Life Benefit Gala took place on July 19, 2008 in East Hampton, New York at Russell Simmons’ estate and was hosted by CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien.

The annual event is put on by Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, which was founded in 1995, by brothers Russell, Danny and Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons. The foundation was established to provide disadvantaged urban youth access to the arts. It also provides selected young people exhibition opportunities for underrepresented artists and artists of color. Last year, the event raised 1.4 million dollars and all of the proceeds from the event benefited over 50 New York City non-profit organizations that offer educational programs in all spectrums of the arts as well as the Foundation’s own visual arts education programs.

(L-R) Tracy Edmonds, Tracey Mourning, Gayle King, Erica Reid, Soledad O’Brien

(L-R) Gayle King, Tom Joyner, Donna Richardson-Joyner

(R-L) Russell Simmons, Sean Diddy Combs, and his mother, Janice Combs

This star-studded event brings in close to 900 leaders from the entertainment, arts, business and philanthropic communities each year. This year is no different; the list of stars, guests and hornorees is long and covers a wide spectrum.

 Russell Simmons and Aretha Franklin

Tamia Hill and Grant Hill

Grammy nominated R&B artist, Tamia and husband, NBA star-athlete, Grant Hill will be Honorary Chairs at the event. Modeling icon and founder of Turly, Inc. and the Christy Turlington Foundation, Christy Turlington Burns and Bret Ratner of RAT Entertainment, will also be honorees at this year’s outing. Other guests include Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Taraji P. Henson, Philadelphia Eagles’ LJ Smith and Kansas City Chiefs Larry Johnson.

Source: Special Event: Russell Simmons, Brothers, Hold Ninth Annual Art For Life East Hampton Benefit Gala

Top photo: Russell Simmons and Porschla Coleman

Photo credit: WireImage

Russell Simmons and New York Governor David A. Paterson

Russelll Simmons and Julissa Bermudez

Deborah Roberts and Al Roker

Porschla Coleman

Ming Simmons Aoki Lee Simmons

Photos: 9th Annual Art For Life Benefit Gala 7-19-08

The Matt Leinart 2nd Annual Celebrity Bowling Night Benefit took place on July 17, 2008 at Lucky Strikes Lane in Hollywood.   Among the attendees were Matt Leinhart, Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush, Khloe Kardashian, Adrienne Bailon, Vivica A. Fox, Jalen Rose, Evan Ross and Ashley Roberts and Kimberly Wyatt of the Pussycat Dolls.

The event raises funds for the Matt Leinhart Foundation, which seeks to provide resources for disadvantaged youth via learning centers and sports activities, enabling participants to build character and maximize academic and personal achievement.

Top photo: Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian

Photo credit: WireImage

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush

Kim Kardashian with her sister, Khloe Kardashian and Adrienne Bailon

Vivica A. Fox

Jalen Rose

Evan Ross

Matt Leinart

Ashley Roberts and Kimberly Wyatt of The Pussycat Dolls

Photos: Matt Leinart 2nd Annual Celebrity Bowling Night Benefit 7-17-08