UPS Olympics Sponsorship

UPS Supports Employee Training for National Teams

ATLANTA, April 18, 2000 -- For UPS employees who add training for spots on their national Olympic or Paralympic Team to the daily demands of work and home, UPS's Athlete Training Assistance Program (ATAP) provides the support they need to pursue their Olympic dreams.

With less than 200 days to the Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies in Sydney, Australia, UPS has finalized the 2000 ATAP roster and expanded the global reach of the program to include athletes hoping to represent Canada and New Zealand.

Currently there are 15 UPS employee-athletes training for spots on their national teams (Armenia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand and the United States) with hopes of competing in the Olympic or Paralympic Games.

A key advantage of ATAP is flexible work schedules that allow the employee-athletes to earn a living while continuing to train and compete. On an individual basis, additional support may be given through a combination of athletic apparel, equipment, and assistance with travel and training expenses.

"Most people can't believe how much I can fit into my day," said Louisa Jenkins, a UPS air driver who is training as an employee-athlete to represent the U.S. Cycling team in mountain bike racing. "Through the support I receive from ATAP, I am able to work closely with my supervisors to balance my work and training priorities and succeed at both."

In addition to Jenkins, eight other UPS employee-athletes are training in the sports of athletics, boxing, Freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, and shooting (trap). One athlete, Ray Dunmeyer, has already qualified for the U.S. Paralympic Team in Judo (for the visually impaired).

Five employees are vying for spots on their national teams including Armenian wrestling, Canadian athletics, Danish athletics, German swimming, and New Zealand athletics.

"As a global company, we are proud of the international reach of ATAP," said Rosemary Windsor, vice president UPS Olympic and Corporate Events. "ATAP fosters an environment that unites all UPS employees in the spirit of competition."

Launched in 1995, ATAP is a unique company initiative resulting from the UPS Worldwide Olympic Partnership. Eligible part-time and full-time employees from the global workforce, who demonstrate world-class competitive abilities, may apply for the program. Since the program's inception, ATAP has helped 34 UPS employee-athletes pursue their Olympic dreams. Of those, Eugene Swift of the U.S. (athletics), Peter Gabrielsson of Sweden (shooting), and Peter Kolotouros of Greece (bobsled), made their national teams.

The newest members of the UPS ATAP program include:

James Dennis - Athletics (Discus): Currently training for a spot on the U.S. National Track & Field Team, Dennis works part-time as a porter in the UPS air hub in Louisville, KY. A three-time NCAA qualifier and two-time All-American, Dennis finished in the top 10 at the USATF National Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Karlene Haughton - Athletics (400m Hurdles): Born in Jamaica and now a resident of Brampton, Ontario, Haughton is training to represent the Canadian National Track & Field Team at the 2000 Olympic Games. A part-time International Document Auditor, Haughton is featured on the 2000 Olympic-themed express-delivery packaging in Canada.

Monique Hennagan - Athletics (400m): A part-time small sorter in Columbia, SC, Hennagan was formerly ranked #1 in the 400m in the U.S. and #2 in the world during high school. In 1998, she finished third at the U.S. Nationals in the 400m and again in 1999 at the World Indoor Championships in Japan. Hennagan is currently training to make the U.S. National Track & Field Team.

Louisa Jenkins - Cycling (Mountain Bike): A former road race cycling champion, Jenkins switched gears to mountain biking and now trains for a spot on the U.S. National Cycling Team in her new discipline. She lives, trains and works for UPS as an air driver in Boulder, CO.

Jeff Laynes - Athletics (100m): Laynes, a preload supervisor in Oakland, CA., won the Hawaii Invitational and the Greece Invitational last year. He continues to train with his coach Ray Norton (1959-60 U.S. top sprinter) to improve his times in the 100m and make the U.S. National Track & Field Team.

John Mackay - Athletics (1500m): Originally from Auckland, New Zealand, Mackay moved to the U.S. in 1993 to attend college. Mackay continues to live and work, as a UPS loader, in Boise, ID but hopes to compete for the New Zealand National Track & Field Team.