UPS Olympics Sponsorship

UPS Olympic Sports Legacy Delivers Dreams of Gold

Editor's Note: Feb. 28 is 200 days to the Opening Ceremony for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia

ATLANTA, Feb. 28, 2000 -- Continuing its global Olympic Sports Legacy Program into 2000-2001, UPS will reach out to youth organizations in 11 U.S. cities, Puerto Rico and five countries including Canada, Australia, Germany, France and China.

From Atlanta to Sydney, UPS has helped more than 120,000 children in seven countries foster dreams of becoming Olympic athletes by securing and delivering much needed athletic equipment and grants to youth sports and recreation programs. The multi-million dollar program was launched by UPS in 1997 as an extension of UPS's worldwide Olympic partnership. To date, the UPS Olympic Sports Legacy has donated in excess of 500,000 pieces of sports equipment and nearly $100,000 in grants.

"UPS is committed to opening doors for children," said Rosemary Windsor, vice president of UPS Olympic and Corporate Events. "Through the legacy we are creating, we hope that UPS will not only increase children's interest in Olympic sports but help them develop the responsibility, leadership and teamwork skills that are often learned through sports."

Beneficiary communities and organizations for 2000-2001 include:

Community Beneficiary Organization
Boston, MA Police Athletic League
Trenton, NJ YMCA
Baltimore, MD Police Athletic League
Charlotte, NC Boys & Girls Clubs
Cincinnati, OH Boys & Girls Clubs
Indianapolis, IN Police Athletic League
Minneapolis, MN Police Athletic League

Oklahoma City, OK YWCA
Seattle, WA YWCA
Long Beach, CA Police Athletic League
New Orleans, LA Boys & Girls Clubs
Puerto Rico Ciudad Deportiva Roberto Clemente
Sydney, Australia Lord Mayor's Sports Charity
Shanghai, China Shanghai Children's Welfare Institution
Montreal, Canada Boys & Girls Clubs

Participating communities represent the vast UPS network around the world. The 2000-2001 participating organizations were selected from UPS's 10 U.S and four international operating regions with input from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), National Olympic Committees (NOC) and Olympic Games organizing committees. In the United States, assistance was provided by the United States Olympic Committee's (USOC) Champions in Life outreach program. In addition to creating the program, UPS serves as a channel for other companies to contribute sports equipment.

The UPS Olympic Sports Legacy Program tracks youth involvement at its beneficiary organizations. Last year, more than 27,000 children participated in an inaugural cycling competition and safety program with equipment and supplies provided by UPS to Chicago's Police Athletic League and the Chicago Housing Authority. These programs are now a permanent offering for the youth of Chicago and continue to flourish. Sydney, Australia's Barnardos Centers use sport to increase self-esteem and confidence in at-risk youth. Equipment provided by UPS Olympic Sports Legacy for basketball, tennis, soccer and cycling programs continues to contribute to the success of more than 6,000 youth at the nine centers.

UPS Olympic Sports Legacy equipment donations are just the beginning of the impact on communities' youth athletics. Near the one-year anniversary of the equipment donation in 2001, UPS plans to return to each beneficiary to host a reunion to celebrate achievements made by the center and children since the equipment was received. UPS has also introduced the UPS Olympic Sports Legacy Award to recognize one individual in each participating organization for sportsmanship, community service and academic achievement. UPS honors the recipient with a special grant in the child's name to the beneficiary during the reunion ceremonies.

A worldwide Olympic Partner since 1994, UPS provides global expertise and services to the IOC, NOCs, Olympic Games Organizing Committee, sports federations and national teams. UPS is the world's largest express carrier and package delivery company, serving more than 200 countries and territories with nearly 344,000 employees worldwide.