Long Track Speed Skating

RICHMOND, B.C. -- Speedskaters Clara Hughes and Kristina Groves say they are encouraged by growing support around Vancouver for the charity Right to Play, even if the organization has been shut out of the 2010 Olympics.

Right to Play, an athlete-driven charity that helps get disadvantaged children get into sports, was told a few months ago by the Vancouver Olympic Games Organizaing Committee that it would not be able to set up an information booth at the athlete's village due to a sponsorship conflict.

Soon after, the International Olympic Comission told Right to Play's president Johann Koss, a former Olympic champion speedskater, that Right to Play would also not be permitted in London in 2012 and in Sochi, Russia, in 2014.

Since Right to Play is sponsored by Mitsubishi, having an official presence at the Games would conflict with General Motors, one of the biggest sponsors of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. The ban sparked about 90 high-profile Canadian Olympians to sign a petition last month protesting the move. In addition to Hughes and Groves, the list also included Jennifer Heil, Beckie Scott and Hayley Wickenheiser.

Wearing a Right to Play toque after winning a silver medal in the 5000m event at the World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships in Richmnond, B.C. Saturday, Hughes said there is support for the charity to have a non-Olympic presence around town during the Games.

"I actually met with Johann Koss two days ago," Hughes said. "He's very, very excited about all the things that are happening around the Olympics, in Vancouver, the city [and] the support Right to Play is getting."

"The opportunities are unlike any other Olympics, so Right to Play is being embraced by the city of Vancouver and by Canadian companies," Hughes said. "I was definitely proud to be on that podium with Right to Play on my toque today."

Groves also wore the Right to Play logo on her togue, and said earlier in the week she made the headgear herself. "For me any opportunity I have to help promote Right to Play, especially in Canada, is one that I will take wholeheartedly," she said. "So I try to put our logo anywhere I can to try to get them exposure."