A GROUP of top athletes is tackling one of the environment’s greatest global emergencies – coral reef loss. It is predicted that by 2050 almost all the world’s coral will have been lost. However, the race is not over.

Each of these athletes is beating the odds by being a champion on the field, track and in the boxing ring – and now in coral restoration.

The champions on land and in the ocean include double Olympic gold medal sailor Hannah Mills OBE; Commonwealth Games gold medallists Lachlan Moorhead, Eilish McColgan and Sophie Coldwell; England Rugby star Marlie Packer; and Kenyan Rugby 7’s great Collins Injera – all represented by The Athlete Media Group (AMG) sports agency.

AMG has teamed up with leading Indian Ocean conservationist and coastal community advocate, Des Bowden and his team at Oceans Alive to make a big splash in coral conservation.

In 2021 the United Nations declared the Decade of Coral Restoration (2021-2030) and AMG with Oceans Alive are doing their bit to champion the way forward.

A new type of ‘Athletes Village’ is being built through the unique ‘Competing For Coral’ initiative. Every time one of its athletes delivers a world-class performance in their chosen sport, AMG adopts a coral nursery table to help restore damaged coral reefs in Kenya.

So far, AMG has supported 14 coral nursery tables and the planting of 3,360 coral juveniles all thanks to the efforts of its world-class athletes.

AMG’s founder Mark Middlemas said: “Athlete platforms are increasingly important at effecting positive change. Damage to coral reefs is a global ocean emergency and we are pleased to support the Oceans Alive Trust through this unique ‘Competing For Coral’ initiative.”

Oceans Alive works with local communities, government, businesses, financial institutions, the science community and environmental organisations to educate and encourage global awareness to support local action.

Oceans Alive Founder and CEO Des Bowden said AMG’s support was “fantastically important and very much appreciated.” He added: “It is very encouraging to see these athletes committing not only to excellence in their field but positive environmental change as well.”