Canada

UPS Canada Helps Athlete Clear Hurdle to Olympics

2000 Press Release

UPS Canada Helps Athlete Clear Hurdle to Olympics

Athlete Training Assistance Program Provides Needed Support

(Toronto, Ont. - April 18, 2000) - For Karlene Haughton, being part of the UPS Athlete Training Assistance Program (ATAP) brings her one leap closer to her Olympic dream. Haughton is the most recent UPS employee to enter the program, which gives athletes a chance to earn a living with flexible work hours so she or he can dedicate time to training. Haughton has her sights set on competing for Canada in the 400m hurdles and the 4x400 meter relay at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

"I'm thrilled to be an ATAP athlete working for UPS. With this much needed support, I can focus on my training without worrying about whether or not I have a job when I get back," said Haughton. "It's that peace of mind that all athletes need in their mission to win gold."

ATAP is a global initiative that was created in 1995 to support eligible part-time or full-time employees who demonstrate world-class competitive abilities and hope to represent their countries in the Olympic Games. A key advantage of ATAP is flexible work schedules that allow the employee-athletes to earn a living while continuing to train and compete. On an individual basis, additional support may be given through a combination of athletic apparel, equipment, and assistance with travel and training expenses.

Haughton currently works as an International Document Auditor at UPS Canada's distribution facility in Mississauga, and is responsible for verifying customs documentation for packages with international destinations.

Since the program's launch, ATAP has helped 34 UPS employee-athletes worldwide pursue their Olympic dreams. Haughton joins 14 other employees around the world who are currently participating in the ATAP program, some who are 15-year veterans with the company. All are hoping to compete in the 2000 Olympic Games and Paralympics.

"We are delighted to assist Karlene through ATAP and as part of UPS's global support for the 2000 Olympic Games," said Scott Corrigan, President, UPS Canada. "It's another way we can deliver the excitement of the Olympic Games to our employees and customers as we watch one of our own reach for gold at the world's greatest sports competition."

While Haughton focuses on training, her image will be hurdling around the world on half-a-million UPS Canada Express Envelopes, used Canada-wide in both English and French. In addition to appearing on UPS Canada's most recent express packaging, Haughton will act as an ambassador for UPS and for Canadian sport. Given her passion for athletic excellence, Haughton will help to raise awareness of the importance of sport at both local and national levels, and UPS customer functions and community events.

Since the beginning of its Olympic involvement in 1994, UPS has provided global expertise and services to the International Olympic Committee, National Olympic Committees, Olympic Games Organizing Committee, sports federations and national teams. In Canada, UPS is a sponsor of the Canadian Cycling Association and Speed Skating Canada, and their Olympic athletes. UPS is undertaking a variety of Olympic-themed sales and marketing activities, including an opportunity for UPS customers to win a trip for two to the Olympics. In addition, community events like the Olympic Sports Legacy Program, which has distributed 3,000 pieces of new sports equipment to children through youth recreation organizations across Canada, will take place in select markets.

UPS, the world's largest express courier and package delivery company, is a leading commerce facilitator, offering an unmatched array of traditional and electronic commerce services. By offering fully integrated, web-enabled business-to-business solutions and working with other e-commerce leaders, UPS is changing the way people do business. The company has won numerous awards for its Web site and information technology infrastructure, including two Computerworld Smithsonian Awards. Employing 344,000 people worldwide, and 6,000 in Canada, UPS delivers to every address in Canada, the US, and operates in more than 200 countries and territories. UPS reported 1999 annual revenues of $27.1 billion.

You can visit the UPS Canada web site at www.ups.com/canada, and double-click the Olympic Rings to learn more about UPS's involvement in the Olympic Games.


For more information, contact:
Susan Webb/Jim Dimovski
UPS Canada Public Relations
(905) 676-6241 / 6275
mediarelations@canmail.ups.com
www.ups.com/canada

  Linda Andross / Nolan Reeds
Edelman Public Relations
(416) 979-1120