Public invited to join the journey by making a donation for commemorative pin designed with the help of Michelle Kwan, Bode Miller, Derek Parra, and other Olympic hopefuls SAN FRANCISCO — Nov. 1, 2005 — Visa USA, along with legendary Olympic gold medalists Bonnie Blair and Summer Sanders, recognized the 100-day countdown to the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games by kicking off a fundraising campaign that will raise at least $1 million to support the journey of future American Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls. With international competitions that require extensive travel and training schedules that exceed the hours of many full-time jobs, U.S. Olympic hopefuls need financial support for training, equipment, and travel costs. Unlike other countries, America’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes do not receive sustained, direct federal funding. Instead, athletes must rely on the support of their families, communities, and sponsors to help defray expenses. “This program will bring athletes closer to their dreams and the public closer to the athletes they love to cheer for and support,” said Blair, a speedskater and the most decorated U.S. woman in Olympic Winter Games history. “Knowing firsthand how difficult this journey can be, every dollar will make a difference.” Before Blair could dream of winning a gold medal, she had to train in Europe to make the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team. The youngest of six children, Blair needed outside financial support to make her dream come true. Thanks to a generous $7,000 donation from the Champaign (Illinois) Policemen’s Benevolent Association, Blair was able to take the trip overseas and earn a spot on her first U.S. Olympic Team. Over the next ten years, she won five Olympic gold medals and set several world records. Through the Visa Dollar for the Dream program, for every dollar donated consumers will receive a commemorative pin when they give at www.visa.com/journey. Visa will raise a minimum of $1 million and will also match consumer donations up to $2 million. The minimum donation is $1.00 and there is no maximum. Everyone who makes a donation of a dollar will receive a limited-edition, commemorative pin designed by Visa with input from 15 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team hopefuls, including Michelle Kwan, Bode Miller, and Derek Parra. With vivid, colorful representations of the Olympic cauldron and Olympic rings, the pin serves as a badge of support for America’s athletes. “The journey to the Olympic Games is long and requires personal sacrifices and commitment, but it also requires support,” said Sanders, who earned two gold, a silver, and a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympic Games. “Every dollar raised in the Dollar for the Dream program goes to America’s Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, so we’re urging everyone to pin a friend and order a bunch to give to employees, customers, schools, and other local organizations.” As a proud a sponsor of the United States Olympic Team, the Dollar for the Dream program is the logical extension of Visa’s sponsorship that has long included support for national governing bodies and athletes. In addition to partnering with the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, USA Track and Field, USA Swimming and USA Gymnastics, Visa also supports dozens of individual American hopefuls through its Visa Gold Medal Athlete Program, offering financial and promotional support, as well as life skills training necessary to compete in life after the Olympic Games. “Visa is celebrating 20 years as a supporter of America’s Olympic Team, and we know Americans are passionate about the Olympic Games,” said Michael Lynch, senior vice president, Visa USA. “Through the Dollar for the Dream initiative we invite these fans to support the journey and help us inspire the next generation of athletes to keep working toward their dream, knowing that all of America will be there to help them reach it.” Commemorative pins are a long-time tradition of the Olympic Games, dating back to the first modern Games in Athens. Trading pins has become a way for millions of fans from more than 190 different countries to overcome language barriers and share their passion for the Olympic Games. In 2000, Olympic Games pin sales reached $65 million. “Visa has been an incredible partner to U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls,” said Jim Scherr, chief executive of the U.S. Olympic Committee. “The Visa Dollar for the Dream program allows the American public to show their support for our athletes in a direct and meaningful way, which will have an impact on the success of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams.” |
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