This press release was provided by 24 Hour Fitness. The Club Industry editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content.
When a run for Olympic glory depends equally on cutting-edge sled technology and an athlete’s combined aerodynamic grace and athleticism, the U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation (USBSF) has vital support from sponsors helping to prepare Team USA for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. 24 Hour Fitness provides extensive resources to boost the nation’s best athletes’ competitive advantage and provide USA Bobsled & Skeleton with the funding, technology and equipment they need to go for the gold.
"We embarked on the most aggressive technology project in the history of our organization three years ago,” said Darrin Steele, CEO, U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation. “It was a leap of faith that we would be able to accomplish all our goals before the 2014 Games. 24 Hour Fitness stepped up and helped us get over the goal line. They also provided the strength equipment our Olympic athletes will use in their final preparation in Sochi before the Games. We are thrilled to have them as a partner this season."
Strict Physical and Technical Preparation
It takes strict physical preparation to compete at the level of Team USA. 24 Hour Fitness is a special sponsor that assists USA Bobsled & Skeleton in both areas of performance. Bobsled and skeleton athletes spend hours training at home, on the road and at the 24 Hour Fitness-equipped U.S. Olympic Training Centers.
Their well-prepared push to ignite each race would be in vain, however, without the sponsor-funded, innovative technology that goes into building their bobsleds. This year, funding from 24 Hour Fitness contributed to the purchase and manufacturing of this advanced sled technology and also enabled the USBSF to build a full fleet of new bobsleds in time for the Olympic Games season.
BMW, Century 21 and Under Armour have also contributed additional valuable resources including sled and speed suit technology, event automobiles, financial support, sport apparel and more.
“Our passion at 24 Hour Fitness has always been to improve lives through fitness and to provide our nearly 4 million members with the tools and support they need to reach their own fitness goals,” said Kristin Shaff, Director of Partnerships. “Similarly, we take great pride in supporting the athletes of Team USA and in providing them with the tools and equipment they need to prepare for and to compete at the highest level during the Olympic Games.”
This winter, 24 Hour Fitness is also extending support to Team USA overseas as they have done for previous Games, by providing funding for fitness and training equipment to assist the athletes while they are on-site in Sochi. Additionally, the company shows ongoing support of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls year-round by:
* Outfitting the three U.S. Olympic Training Centers in Chula Vista, Calif., Colorado Springs, Colo. and Lake Placid, N.Y. with state-of-the-art equipment; supporting more than 30,000 athlete visits throughout the year
* Providing the USOC with complimentary gym memberships to assist qualified Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls across the country
* Funding fitness and training equipment to support National Governing Bodies and Paralympic sports at their various training sites and athlete development programs nationwide
2014 marks the U.S. fitness club chain’s 10-year anniversary as a proud official sponsor of the USOC, supporting U.S. Olympic athletes and hopefuls since the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
To learn more about USA Bobsled and Skeleton, visit usbsf.com.
About 24 Hour Fitness
Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., 24 Hour Fitness is a leading health club industry pioneer, serving nearly 4 million members in more than 400 clubs across the U.S. For more than 30 years, the company has been dedicated to helping members change their lives and reach their individual fitness goals. With convenient club locations, personal training services, innovative group exercise classes and a variety of strength, cardio and functional training equipment, 24 Hour Fitness offers fitness solutions for everyone.
Please call 1-800-224-0240 or visit 24hourfitness.com for more information and to find the club nearest you.
About the U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation
The United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, based in Lake Placid, N.Y., is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton in the United States. The USBSF would like to thank its sponsors, suppliers and contributors for their support: BMW of North America, Century 21, Under Armour, Kampgrounds of America, Boomerang Carnets, 24 Hour Fitness, KBC Helmets, Azad Watches, Latta USA, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Autism Speaks, Park City Lodging, Inc., EDAS/Ripxx, UberSense, Tesa Tape and Ferris Mfg. Corp. For more information, please visit the USBSF website at usbsf.com.