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#CoronavirusOutbreak: Nadal and Gasol launch fund-raising drive to help Spaniards
Last updated on Mar 27, 2020, 01:21 pm
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Spanish sport legends Rafael Nadal and Pau Gasol launched a fund-raising drive explaining they wanted to give something back to the coronavirus hit nation.
Spain is under a severe crisis with over 4,000-plus deaths in relation to the virus.
Tennis ace Nadal and NBA star Gasol have targeted raising $12.3million in the nation.
Here's more.
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Views
The Spanish people have never let us athletes down: Nadal
![The Spanish people have never let us athletes down: Nadal]( "The Spanish people have never let us athletes down: Nadal")
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Nadal said he came up with the idea and called his Gasol to help promote the drive.
The tennis ace said they cannot let the Spanish people down in this crisis.
"The Spanish people have never let us athletes down. We are what we are because of them. We cannot let them down now," Nadal told AFP.
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Gasol views
Gasol has his say on the fundraiser
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"Spanish athletes have always tried to make our nation proud, today we want to go beyond that," said double NBA champion Gasol.
"We want to raise 11 million euros and help 1.34 million people, those hardest hit by coronavirus. My contribution and Rafa's too have already been made and I hope the whole of Spanish sport will rally behind us," added the 39-year-old.
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Support
Casillas and Lopetegui lend their support
![Casillas and Lopetegui lend their support]( "Casillas and Lopetegui lend their support")
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Among the first to react was Spain's 2010 World Cup winning goal-keeper Iker Casillas.
"It's the time for Spanish sport and it's up to us to do our part," he tweeted. "I have already contributed."
Meanwhile, former Spain and Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui lent his support on Nadal's Instagram account.
He hoped all athletes will join the initiative and help the cause.
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Personal
Celebrities should come together and support this drive
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The fund-raising drive is a positive direction and it's time where the celebrities from all corners should come out and raise funds to help the nation tackle this period of crisis.
