John Woodruff’s brilliant victory in the 800 meters at the 1936 Olympic Games helped crush Hitler’s ideals of white supremacy. Now 89 years old and in poor health, Woodruff’s once-powerful legs have been amputated below the knees. He needs an expensive, specialized van to get around.Back in the ’30s, Olympic champions didn’t get multi-million-dollar endorsement deals. Fortunately, as reported in yesterday’s Seattle Times, a charity designed to help needy former Olympians helped Woodruff buy the van. The charity has helped other Olympic athletes, including gold medal sprinter Bob Hayes, who needed a grant for cancer medication before he died a few years ago.

To contribute to the fund, see the Times article .