2000 Press Release
UPS EMPLOYEE, KARLENE HAUGHTON CLEARS FINAL HURDLE TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN SYDNEY
(Mississauga, ON - August 16, 2000) - While United Parcel Service (UPS) employees may deliver millions of parcels and documents each day, on August 30 they will be sending a very special package to the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia - Canadian Track and Field team member Karlene Haughton.
Haughton is part of UPS's Athlete Training Assistance Program (ATAP), which gives employee-athletes a chance to earn a living with flexible work hours so she or he can dedicate time to training. This is Haughton's first time competing in the Olympic Games for Canada in the 400m hurdles and the 4x400 metre relay.
Haughton qualified for the 2000 Canadian Olympic Team by placing first in the 400 metre hurdles at the Canadian National Track and Field Championships in Victoria, BC on August 13, reconfirming her number one ranking in Canada.
"Competing in the Olympics has been a lifelong dream for me and it's an incredible feeling," said Haughton. "Thanks to United Parcel Service, I have been able to concentrate on my training and maximize my abilities. I know that without UPS's support, the road to the Olympics could've been a lot rougher for me."
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 at 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.
"We are proud of Karlene's success and delighted that our Athlete Training Assistance Program has helped deliver her dream," said Scott Corrigan, President, UPS Canada. "ATAP fosters an environment that unites all UPS employees in the spirit of competition. All of us will be cheering for her as she goes for the gold in Sydney."
Since the program's launch, ATAP has helped 34 UPS employee-athletes worldwide pursue their Olympic dreams. Haughton joined 19 other employees around the world who participated in ATAP in 1999 and 2000, with goals of competing in the 2000 Olympic Games and Paralympics.
Haughton joins fellow UPS employee-athletes Monique Hennagan and Ray Dunmeyer, both of the U.S., who also are headed for Sydney. Hennagan, who works part time in small sort operations for UPS in Columbia, S.C. was named to the U.S. Olympic Team to compete in the women's 4x400 metre relay. Dunmeyer, a UPS database administrator in Mahwah, N.J., qualified as a member of the U.S. Judo Paralympic Team for the visually impaired.
While Haughton focuses on competing, her image will be hurdling around the world on half-a-million UPS Canada Express Envelopes, used Canada-wide in both English and French. This packaging will also be one of the graphics used on bus wraps and pins to enhance UPS's presence marketing in Sydney during the Olympic Games. In addition to appearing on UPS Canada's most recent express packaging, Haughton has acted as an ambassador for UPS and for Canadian sport. Given her passion for athletic excellence, Haughton has helped raise awareness of the importance of sport at both local and national levels, and UPS customer functions and community events.
UPS Canada is a sponsor of the Canadian Cycling Association and Speed Skating Canada, and Canadian 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 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. In addition, community events like the UPS Olympic Sports Legacy program delivered 5,000 pieces of new sports equipment to Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada benefiting more than 20,000 children and youth.
A worldwide Olympic Partner since 1994, UPS provides global expertise and services to the IOC, NOCs, Olympic Games Organizing Committee, sports federations and national teams. 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.
To learn more about the UPS's involvement with the Olympic Games, please visit www.ups.com/canada and double-click on the Olympic Rings.
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 / Tanya Wymer
Edelman Public Relations
(416) 979-1120
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