SALT LAKE CITY, April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- USANA Health
Sciences, Inc. (NYSE: USNA), a nutritional supplements manufacturer
based in Salt Lake City, is proud
to be the Official Health Supplement Supplier of the U.S. Women's
Ski Jumping team (WSJ-USA), the newest addition to the 2014 Sochi
Olympic Winter Games. For the first time in Olympic history,
women are allowed to participate in the discipline of ski
jumping.
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110110/LA27593LOGO)
"USANA could not be happier to be part of this historic moment.
These women are an inspiration, and we are thrilled to
continue supporting this elite team of athletes," said Dan Macuga, USANA's Vice President of
Marketing.
Women's ski jumping is becoming an increasingly popular sport to
compete in worldwide. Lindsay Van, of Park City, Utah, is the sport's first female
world champion, and for over 10 years Van and the team have fought
to be included in the Games. "We know we're ready and we want
to show the world in Sochi in 2014," Van said in 2010. The
IOC rejected women's ski jumping for the 2010 Winter Olympics and
that only fueled Van and the team to push harder.
"I'm glad I didn't give up," Van said Wednesday at the Utah
Olympic Park, site of the ski jumping events at the 2002 Winter
Games.
Christophe De Kepper, IOC sports
director, said Wednesday during a press briefing in London, the main reason a women's event was
approved for Sochi 2014 is the increase in quality and depth in
women's ski jumping.
"The support that USANA gives us is huge. We would not be
here if it wasn't for our sponsors who have seen the virtue of this
and stuck with us. Presently the entire program is run by the
funding we generate through our sponsors and private donors,"
Peter Jerome, founder of WSJ,
said.
USANA became a sponsor for WSJ-USA in November 2010 and held a send-off event at
company headquarters in Salt Lake
City. "USANA's sponsorship is great, you get bars and
vitamins and the financial help to keep going on trips and buying
equipment. Without USANA, we wouldn't be where we are today,"
Van said.
In addition to sponsoring the Visa Women's Ski Jumping Team,
USANA demonstrates its commitment to sports by sponsoring teams and
organizations such as the Women's Tennis Association, US
Speedskating, USA Luge and many others. In the 2010 Winter
Games in Vancouver,
USANA-sponsored athletes earned 22 medals.
About WSJ-USA: Women's Ski Jumping USA is a 501c3
nonprofit foundation that supports the Visa Women's Ski Jumping
Team and promotes the sport for women internationally. It is
a primary goal of WSJ-USA to have women ski jumpers worldwide
recognized for their accomplishments and be allowed to compete in
the Olympic Winter Games. Learn more at www.wsjusa.com.
About USANA: USANA Health Sciences develops and
manufactures high-quality nutritionals, personal care, energy and
weight management products that are sold directly to Preferred
Customers and Associates throughout the
United States, Canada,
Australia, New Zealand, Hong
Kong, Japan, Taiwan, South
Korea, Singapore,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Mexico, the
Netherlands and the United
Kingdom.
Learn more at our website (www.usana.com), read our blog
(www.whatsupusana.com), like us on Facebook
(www.facebook.com/usanahealthsciences), or follow us on Twitter
(@usanainc).
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ashley Collins
USANA Director of Marketing, Public Relations & Social
Media
(801) 954-7629
ashley.collins@us.usana.com
SOURCE USANA Health Sciences, Inc.