News Release
COCA-COLA ANNOUNCES NAMES OF SIX U.S. TORCHBEARERS FOR BEIJING
2008 OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY
Torchbearers Selected for Their Dedication to Active Living
and Wellbeing
ATLANTA, March 19, 2008 -
A passionate commitment to wellbeing has earned six U.S. residents
the opportunity to serve as torchbearers in the upcoming Beijing 2008
Olympic Torch Relay. These exceptional individuals will serve as Coca-Cola
Ambassadors of Active Living as they experience the honor
of carrying the Olympic Flame.
Based on their dedication to living and promoting active lifestyles
to make a positive, sustainable difference in their local communities,
Coca-Cola selected these six special torchbearers from more than 1,000
nominations from across the country. The Coca-Cola "Ambassadors
of Active Living" will participate in the San Francisco leg of
the Relay on April 9, the only U.S. stop of the five-month global
event.
Making A Difference Locally
The six Coca-Cola torchbearers and their active living platforms are:
- Bonnie Bobbit (Fayetteville, Ga.) -- a cycling enthusiast
who has spent the past eight years advocating for government funding
to increase bicycle safety and awareness for the metro-Atlanta region.
- Eric Burke (Pasadena, Calif.) -- a middle-school teacher
who established and coaches Students Run LA, a program
that encourages students at his school to train for and compete
in the Los Angeles Marathon.
- James Dolan (Pompano Beach, Fla.) -- a retired New York
City police officer who served as sports director for the departments
Police Athletic League, a non-profit youth organization that encourages
active lifestyles through sports and recreation.
- Danielle Dorfman (Miami, Fla.) -- founder of Running
Friends Forever, an organization that links runners and groups
of runners with less fortunate individuals who desire to train,
race, and compete in running-related sports.
- Sondra Galperin (Coral Gables, Fla.) -- a Red Cross volunteer
who has taught more than 1,000 children life-saving swimming skills;
educated more than 30 volunteers as swimming instructors; and developed
the teaching curriculum used at Venetian Pool for the past 20 years.
- Andrea Vincent (Fairfax, Va.) -- founder of seeMOMMYrun.com,
a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and
well-being of mothers and children by providing easy access to family-friendly
fitness groups.
"We chose these six special people to represent Coca-Cola in
the Olympic Torch Relay as 'Ambassadors of Active Living' because
they personify the 'Coke Side of Life' and what it means to make the
world a little better every day," said Hendrik Steckhan, president,
Sparkling Beverages, Coca-Cola North America. "As a long-time
supporter of programs that encourage and promote active living in
local communities we hope the passion and dedication of these torchbearers
will inspire others to embrace well-being."
All eligible entries submitted through the Coca-Cola nomination program
were reviewed by a panel of judges; torchbearer selections were based
on how well the candidates demonstrated their active lifestyles through
leadership, the impact of each nominees activities on the community
and sustainable results.
"Through the Olympic Torch Relay Coca-Cola is helping to share
the Olympic spirit embodied by the thousands of torchbearers who will
carry the Flame as a symbol of inspiration and unity," concluded
Steckhan.
About the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay
The Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay Presented by Coca-Cola, Samsung
and Lenovo will cover the longest distance of any Olympic Torch Relay,
spanning about 85,000 miles. The relay begins with the lighting of
the Flame in Olympia, Greece, on March 24. After its arrival in Beijing
on March 31, the Flame will begin its journey on April 1, traveling
to 21 international cities, including San Francisco on April 9 --
the only U.S. stop on the Relay -- before returning to mainland China.
Having been carried by more than 21,000 runners, the Flame will enter
the Olympic Stadium as part of the Opening Ceremony of the XXIX Olympiad
on August 8. The theme of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay is
Journey of Harmony.
About Coca-Cola and the Olympic Movement
The Coca-Cola Company has been an Olympic partner since 1928 -- almost
80 years -- and is the longest continuous corporate supporter of the
Olympic Movement. The Company works with National Olympic Committees
in more than 200 countries to help athletes train and compete. More
than 90 percent of the Coca-Cola system's investment in the Olympic
Games is directed to athlete development and to assist in staging
the Games. Products of The Coca-Cola Company refresh athletes, volunteers,
officials and spectators during the Olympic Games and supporting programs
such as the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay allows Coca-Cola to help
share the Olympic spirit around the world. The Coca-Cola Company
is the exclusive nonalcoholic beverage partner to the Olympic Games
through 2020.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. Along
with Coca-Cola®, recognized as the world's most valuable brand,
the Company markets four of the world's top five nonalcoholic sparkling
beverage brands, including Diet Coke®, Fanta® and Sprite®,
and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light beverages,
waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees, energy and sports
drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system,
consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages
at a rate exceeding 1.4 billion servings each day. For more information
about The Coca-Cola Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
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