24 HOUR FITNESS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH SIX U.S. OLYMPIC HOPEFULS FOR BEIJING 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES
U.S. Olympic Gold Medalists Kerri Walsh and Jeremy Wariner and U.S. Olympic Hopeful Alicia Sacramone Spearhead New Advertising Campaign
SAN RAMON, Calif., (May 1, 2008) 24 Hour Fitness, the largest privately-owned U.S. fitness chain and the Official Fitness Center Sponsor of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team, today announced that U.S. Olympians Kerri Walsh, Jeremy Wariner, Adam Wheeler and Brian Olson and U.S. Olympic hopefuls Alicia Sacramone and Adler Volmar have joined Team 24 Hour Fitness as they strive toward making the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team and medaling this summer at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
As members of Team 24 Hour Fitness, Walsh and Wariner, gold medalists in Athens in beach volleyball and track & field, respectively, and Sacramone, who is attempting to make her first U.S. Olympic Team in gymnastics, along with 24 Hour Fitness employees, Wheeler, Olson and Volmar will appear in the brand’s advertising, make promotional appearances at local clubs, and develop signature workouts for members that will be available in-club and online at www.24hourfitness.com.
“24 Hour Fitness is proud to continue its support of the United States Olympic Team and help in their ongoing quest for glory at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing,” said Tony Wells, Chief Marketing Officer, 24 Hour Fitness. “These inspiring athletes were selected because they share 24 Hour Fitness’ vision of making fitness accessible for everyone and know the importance of setting goals, working hard and remembering to have fun along the way.”
The Olympic Games are a strong part of 24 Hour Fitness’ DNA. A number of their signature athletes are also Olympians – Magic Johnson, Andre Agassi, Shaquille O’Neal, and Lance Armstrong. Joining this elite group:
Kerri Walsh (Beach Volleyball) – The 29-year-old California native will head to Beijing with her playing partner Misty May-Treanor as the defending gold medalists in beach volleyball. Walsh recently became a three-time World Champion with a gold medal victory in Gstaad, Switzerland.
Jeremy Wariner (Track & Field) – Wariner, 24, first made a name for himself in Athens in 2004 with gold medal performances in the 400 meters and 4X400 relay. He recently added two-time World Champion to his already impressive resume and has set his sights on breaking Michael Johnson’s 400 meter world record of 43.18 while going for gold in Beijing.
Alicia Sacramone (Gymnastics) – The current U.S. National Champion on vault and a seven-time medalist at the World Championships, Sacramone, 20, is poised to make her first appearance at the Olympic Games this summer in Beijing.
Brian Olson (Judo) - A fitness manager in a Fort Collins, Colo. club, is a three-time Olympian and five-time National Champion in Judo. He is currently ranked third in the 90kg weight class.
Adam Wheeler (Wrestling) - A personal trainer in Broadmoor, Colo., who is currently ranked second in the U.S. in the 96-kilogram Greco-Roman wrestling division, and has already qualified for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team.
Adler Volmar (Judo) – A personal trainer in Coral Springs, Fla., a 1996 Olympian for Haiti, 3-time national medalist, Pan American and European medalist. He is currently ranked first in 100-kilogram category with over 18 years of experience in Olympic, international and domestic judo competitions.
“I’m thrilled to be a member of Team 24 Hour Fitness,” said Walsh. “Their support both in club and at the U.S. Olympic Training Centers has helped our athletes perform at their very best. Whether you’re an Olympian or weekend warrior, 24 Hour Fitness recognizes that we are all athletes and is there to help achieve your fitness goals.”
As the Official Fitness Center Sponsor of the United States Olympic Team, 24 Hour Fitness has worked closely with the U. S. Olympic Committee (USOC) to plan, develop and implement its High Performance Training Center (HPTC) in Beijing. The HPTC, located at Beijing Normal University, will be a base for the U.S. Olympic Committee during the Games offering services to include training facilities.
To help America’s Olympic Team train for Beijing 2008, 24 Hour Fitness has provided state-of-the-art equipment and expertise to U.S. Olympic Training Centers in Colorado Springs, Colo., Chula Vista, Calif. and Lake Placid, N.Y. 24 Hour Fitness continues to work closely with the USOC Sport Performance team to make additional enhancements to the U.S. Olympic Training Centers and other U.S. Olympic training sites to help the team optimize its performance in Beijing.
As part of its partnership with the USOC, which launched in 2003, 24 Hour Fitness also offers eligible U.S. Olympic athletes and hopefuls free and reduced rate club memberships to support them as they train in their hometowns. Additionally, 24 Hour Fitness is proud to support the U.S. Olympic Movement by sponsoring nine National Governing Bodies (NGBs): USA Cycling, USA Gymnastics, USA Judo, USA Softball, USA Track & Field, USA Volleyball, USA Water Polo, USA Weightlifting and USA Wrestling.
This will be the third Olympic Games for which 24 Hour Fitness has supported America’s Olympic Team, having previously partnered with the United States Olympic Committee for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games.
About 24 Hour Fitness
Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., 24 Hour Fitness Worldwide, an innovative leader in the health and fitness industry, serves more than 3 million members in over 400 clubs worldwide. Founded in 1983 as a one-club operation, 24 Hour Fitness pioneered the concept of making fitness accessible, affordable and a way of life for everyone. 24 Hour Fitness has partnered with superstar athletes and celebrities like Magic Johnson, Andre Agassi, Lance Armstrong, Shaquille O’Neal, Jackie Chan, Yao Ming and Derek Jeter to open co-branded clubs around the world. The company demonstrates its leadership through sponsorships like that of the U.S. Olympic Team and a commitment to the community through various charitable and in-kind donations. In addition, 24 Hour Fitness enjoys strategic partnerships with major consumer brands like Coca-Cola and Nike, and for five seasons has partnered with NBC’s popular reality TV show, The Biggest Loser. Please call 1-800-224-0240 or visit www.24HourFitness.com for more information and to find the location nearest you.
U.S. Olympic Committee
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the sole entity in the United States whose mission involves training, entering and underwriting the full expenses for the U.S. teams in the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. In addition to being the steward of the U.S. Olympic Movement, the USOC is the moving force for support of sports in the United States that are on the program of the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games.
