Press Releases
Visa's Friendship Lanes Tour Anchored by Olympians Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff
Phelps & Hoff Begin Journey to Beijing Games In Conjunction with Special Olympics; Goodwill Trip to Promote the Sport of Swimming and 2007 Special Olympics World Summer GamesSan Francisco, CA/Beijing, CHINA - April 9, 2007
In their continual effort to grow the sport of swimming internationally, Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff anchor the "Visa Friendship Lanes Tour" of goodwill, friendship and cultural experience through a series of events that will celebrate the dreams of people of all abilities and cultures. The athletes visit to China, also supported by Speedo, represents their support of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
The "Visa Friendship Lanes Tour," will promote Special Olympics and take place April 9th - 13th with events scheduled in both Beijing and Shanghai including a swimming clinic with Special Olympics athletes, a Speedo swimming clinic with Chinese Junior swimmers, ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Special Olympics World Summer Games, and a mentoring session with several Team Visa athletes who are training to make the Chinese Olympic Team in 2008.
"The 'Visa Friendship Lanes Tour' provides these athletes with the ability to connect with another culture while at the same time promote their sport in a way that has never been done before," said Mr. Peter Carlisle, Octagon Managing Director of Olympics & Action Sports. "Between the Special Olympics World Games and the Beijing Olympics, it's an exciting time for China and our athletes want to be a true part of the entire cultural experience."
"Visa's Olympic marketing programs are designed to show the public the journey that our Olympic athletes and hopefuls follow to reach their goals and dreams. We're very proud of our long partnership we have with Michael and Katie," said Mr. Michael Lynch, Senior Vice President of Partnership Marketing, Visa USA. "With the 'Visa Friendship Lanes Tour', we see an opportunity to help these great athletes inspire others and hopefully make a positive impact on the global Olympic Movement."
In an effort to further provide people of all abilities the opportunity to chase their dreams, Phelps and Hoff, joined by fellow Olympians Ryan Lochte and Megan Jendrick (formerly Quann), will donate $8,808.00 (USD) to Special Olympics China and the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. (US VERSION ONLY: The athletes' contribution reflects the symbolic date to the Opening Ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games.)
"When world renowned athletes like Michael, Katie, Ryan, and Megan stand side by side with our Special Olympics athletes they bring recognition, respect, understanding and most important, acceptance among the general public," said Mr. Timothy Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics. "Their participation in the events this week in Beijing and Shanghai especially two special school visits and Special Olympics China swimming clinic encourage a call to action to society to support the more than 2.2 million Special Olympics athletes around the world."
"We are grateful to the U.S. Olympic swimmers for their generous support of Special Olympics China and the global movement--especially, with the 2007 World Summer Games only six months away," said Mr. Zhang Tan Lian, Vice National Chairman, Special Olympics China. "We thank these Champions for not only making a donation to our program but also for sharing their talents with Special Olympics China athletes in and out of the pool."
As part of the ongoing partnership with its athletes, Visa is helping Phelps and Hoff launch their Mandarin-based web pages that will allow the people of China to track their progress in preparation for the Beijing Olympic Games. The Mandarin-based pages can be accessed via www.swimroom.com, a newly launched social networking website devoted entirely to the sport of swimming.
"One of my biggest career goals is to promote and raise the sport of swimming and its profile both in the U.S. and around the world," said Mr. Michael Phelps, an eight-time Olympic Medalist and 17-time World Champion. "With the support of Visa, Speedo and Special Olympics, I am honored to be a part of the "Visa Friendship Lanes Tour" and am really looking forward to sharing my passion for swimming with a country that is excited to host the World Games and Olympic Games."
In addition, industry leader Speedo continues support of their athletes Phelps, Hoff, Lochte and Jendrick in an effort to appeal to youth audiences and embrace the benefits of swimming as sport as well as a healthy lifestyle activity. Speedo, who is developing business opportunities in China with Symphony Resources Ltd., will host a clinic featuring Chinese Junior and high school swimmers that will feature personal instruction from Phelps, Hoff, Lochte and Jendrick at Beijing Normal University.
Phelps' partnership with Visa began shortly after the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Since then, he has appeared in Visa's national television commercial "Lap" prior to the Athens Olympic Games. Hoff began her relationship with Visa shortly after the Athens Olympic Games.
Phelps and Hoff gained international notoriety with her dominating performances at last week's FINA World Championships in Melbourne, Australia. Phelps turned in arguably one of the greatest individual performances in an international competition, winning seven gold medals and shattering five World Records. The 21-year-old Olympic gold medalist is now the most decorated swimmer in World Championships history and tied swimming legend Mark Spitz by winning seven gold medals in an international meet. Hoff won three gold medals and broke her first-career individual World Record in the 400m IM, blistering the field to win the event by more than seven seconds. Lochte notched the upset of the meet, capturing the 200m backstroke in World Record time. He also recorded a gold medal as a member of the World Record setting 4 X 200m freestyle relay and posted two other silver medals. Jendrick, an Olympic gold medalist from the 2000 Sydney Games, earned silver in the 200m breaststroke.
About Visa USA
Visa USA is a leading payment brand and the nation's largest payment system, enabling banks to provide their consumers and business customers with a wide variety of payment alternatives tailored to meet their evolving needs. Visa USA is committed to increasing the choice, convenience, acceptance and security of Visa payments for all stakeholders in the payment system -- members, cardholders and merchants. Through its 13,382 member financial institutions, more than 510 million Visa-branded cards have been issued to cardholders in the United States. Visa products currently generate more than $4 trillion in sales volume worldwide. Visa enjoys acceptance around the world. In addition, Visa/Plus is one of the world's largest global ATM networks, offering cash access in local currency in over 170 countries. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become healthy, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition to over 2 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 160 countries. Special Olympics provides one of the world's greatest platforms for acceptance and inclusion for all people--regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or cultural differences. Find out how you can become involved at www.specialolympics.org.
About Speedo
Born on Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia in 1928, SPEEDO® is the world's top-selling swimwear brand. The brand's heritage derives from its leadership in competitive swimming, where more Olympic Gold Medals have been won in Speedo than any other brand. Eight-time Olympic Medalist Michael Phelps is among the elite swimmers who wear SPEEDO® Fastskinä technology. Building on its authentic base, the SPEEDO® product line has dramatically expanded over the years. It now includes women's fashion and fitness swimwear, men's water shorts, kid's swimwear, active wear, footwear, and a comprehensive collection of aquatic and fitness equipment. For more information visit, www.Speedo.com.
About Octagon
Octagon is the world's largest sports and entertainment representation and marketing agency with global expertise in consulting, athletes & personalities, event management, property representation, marketing solutions, licensing and merchandising and talent procurement. As part of The Interpublic Group (NYSE:IPG), one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services, Octagon employs more than 1,000 people in 60 offices around the world. For further information please visit: www.octagon.com.
Kathy Connors, Octagon: +1 703 338 2156; kathy.connors@octagon.com
Michael Rolnick, Visa USA: +1 415 279 7047; mrolnick@visa.com
Sarah Cody, Special Olympics: +1 202 824 0306; scody@specialolympics.org
Celine Mou, Speedo: +86 138 179 64181; celine.mou@myspeedo.com.cn