SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- USANA Health
Sciences, Inc. (NYSE: USNA) congratulates the Visa Women's Ski
Jumping Team on receiving the Wilma Rudolph
Courage Award from the Women's Sports Foundation as part of
its 32nd Annual Salute to Women in Sports Awards Gala, held on
October 19 in New York City.
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110110/LA27593LOGO)
Ski jumpers Jessica Jerome,
Lindsey Van, and Alissa Johnson were invited to accept the award
on behalf of the team and its supporting foundation, Women's Ski
Jumping USA (WSJ-USA). Team members were honored for their
perseverance and courage in fighting to gain equality in, and
acceptance into, the Olympic Games.
"This group of young women have worked hard to get to where they
are today," said Dan Macuga, USANA
vice president of marketing, public relations, and social media.
"What these women have done for other athletes intent on pursing
their dreams is nothing short of incredible, and I can't think of
another team more deserving of this award than these women ski
jumpers."
The Women's Sports Foundation was founded by tennis legend
Billie Jean King in 1974 and is
dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women through sports
and physical activity. Team members Jessica Jerome, Lindsey
Van, and Abby Hughes had the
pleasure of meeting King at USANA's 2011 International Convention
in August, where she spoke to a crowd of Associates about going
after and living one's dreams.
"You're doing exactly what I did," said King to the women. She
knew all about their battle for inclusion in the Olympics, and she
admired their determination.
In April 2011, a women's ski
jumping event was added to the Olympic Games program. At the 2014
Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, women will compete in ski jumping at
the Olympic level for the first time in history.
WSJ-USA president Deedee Corradini attended the event and said,
"Because of the generous support we receive from USANA, these young
women can concentrate on being the best athletes they can be, while
making Olympic history in 2014."
About Wilma Rudolph Courage Award: This
award is given to a female athlete/team who exhibits extraordinary
courage in her athletic performance, demonstrates the ability to
overcome adversity, makes significant contributions to sports and
serves as an inspiration and role model to those who face
challenges, overcomes them and strives for success at all
levels.
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. Additionally, USANA's wholly-owned subsidiary,
BabyCare, Ltd., operates a direct selling business in China. 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).
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 has
advocated for years for women ski jumpers to be allowed to compete
in the Olympic Winter Games. That goal was reached in April 2011 when the International Olympic
Committee added a women's ski jumping event to the 2014 Sochi
games. Learn more at www.wsjusa.com.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ashley Collins,
Executive Director of Marketing, Public Relations & Social
Media
(801) 954-7280 - Ashley.Collins (at) us.usana.com
SOURCE USANA Health Sciences, Inc.