The Golden Laces are drumming up plenty of support in the world of sport; achieving the goal of forming the biggest team in the world is getting ever nearer. After its success with the Spanish men’s basketball team, the newly-crowned world champions (Marc Gasol, Sergio Llull, Willy Hernangómez, etc.) and in various hockey teams, the Open de España is also on board with the Unoentrecienmil Foundation. Thanks to its support of this initiative, the European Tour has purchased 100 pairs of charity shoelaces to hand out to any players that would like to wear them during the tournament. They will also be worn by staff at the event. It is a small gesture that will go a long way, as wearing the Golden Laces on your shoes is the equivalent of 16 minutes to the benefit of research against infant leukaemia.
This illness accounts for 30% of cancers among infants, with over 300 cases per year in Spain alone. The Unoentrecienmil Foundation, with initiatives like Golden Laces, seeks to raise funds for research and thus address the lack of clinical advances in infant leukaemia, which leaves twenty percent of children with the disease with little chance of survival.
However, the match is a long one and it is not over until the final putt is holed, the final whistle blows or the finish line is crossed. A pair of shoes adorned with the Golden Shoelaces makes the dream of victory in such a difficult battle all the more obtainable. Thanks to the efforts of the Unoentrecienmil Foundation, eight projects for research into infant leukaemia have been funded. 700,000 euros have also been invested in grants for sport and its benefits for the children’s cancer.
The fact that Open de España is getting behind the Golden Laces only reinforces Madrid Trophy Promotion’s commitment to social causes related to children. Its work is affirmed by previous initiatives such as “One game, one toy”, which was led by the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament and allowed, on several occasions, the collection of new toys for the young patients at the Hospital del Niño Jesús.
Feliciano López and Marc López did not hesitate to don the Golden Laces in the Pro-Am on Wednesday. “They suggested it to me and I’m going to wear them. They will always be the laces on my golf shoes now”, said the tennis player and director of the Mutua Madrid Open. “We’re delighted to help out and support charity initiatives” added his regular doubles partner and Olympic doubles champion in Rio ’16 alongside Rafa Nadal.
Adrià Arnaus is one of the golfers who will be joining the ever-growing Golden Laces club thanks to the impetus of the Open de España. Facundo Campazzo, Darío Brizuela and Fernando San Emeterio, among others, have also worn them in the world of basketball. Would you like to emulate these sporting superstars? You can purchase your own golden laces for 5 euros here. Helping build a future where doctors are able to say “Don’t worry, it’s only leukaemia” doesn’t take much.
