DHL Launches The 2006 U.S. Paralympic Speaker Series

Plantation, Fla. -- February 22, 2006


Paralympic Gold Medalist Sarah Will to Serve as Ambassador

DHL, the world’s leading express delivery and logistics company and the Official Express Delivery and Logistics Provider of the 2006 United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams, today unveiled the 2006 DHL U.S. Paralympic Speaker Series. The series, a part of DHL’s U.S. Olympic Spirit program and commitment to delivering the Olympic Spirit all across America, will include appearances by 12-time U.S. Paralympic gold medalist Sarah Will to help inspire people to pursue a life full of possibilities and without limitations.

The DHL U.S. Paralympic Speaker Series will also serve as an opportunity to raise awareness for the 2006 U.S. Paralympic Spirit Award Delivered by DHL, which will recognize U.S. Paralympians (one male, one female) and one U.S. Paralympic Team who best represent the Olympic Spirit at the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy, through their courage, commitment, performance, perseverance and vision, both in competition and in pursuit of their athletic dreams.

Sarah Will, regarded as the top monoskier in the world, has earned 12 Paralympic gold medals, including a clean sweep of all four downhill skiing events at the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. She was also named winner of the 2002 U.S. Paralympic Spirit Award. Will began monosking in 1989, just one year after injuring her spinal cord in a ski accident.

The DHL U.S. Paralympic Speaker Series will feature appearances and speaking engagements by Will, and be conducted in partnership with organizations that encourage and enable individuals with disabilities to find their inner athlete. “I am very proud to be partnering with DHL on the U.S. Paralympic Speaker Series, and for the opportunity to share my story and listen to the stories of so many others,” said Will.

The schedule includes:
- Thursday, February 23: Adaptive Adventures Youth Camp - Vail, CO
- Tuesday, March 7: Shake-a-Leg Miami - Miami, FL
- Thursday, March 9: Walter Reed Memorial Hospital - Washington, DC
- Saturday, March 11: The Ralph Hartman Race - Windham, NY
- Monday, March 13: Blaze Sports National Disability Sports Conference - Athens, GA

The 2006 U.S. Paralympic Spirit Award Delivered by DHL honorees will be selected by consumers, media, U.S. Paralympic alumni, and fellow Team USA athletes through an online voting process during the March 10-19 competition, by visiting either: www.dhl-usa.com or www.usolympicteam.com. DHL is also delivering the 2006 U.S. Olympic Spirit Award, which will be awarded to U.S. Olympians on Monday, February 27, at the conclusion of the Olympic Winter Games.

“As a U.S. Paralympic Spirit Award winner, I know how powerful the Olympic Spirit can be, so I also want to educate people on the award and encourage them to help select this year’s winners,” said Will, who, along with Olympians Scott Hamilton, Dan Jansen, Vonetta Flowers and Chris Klug, is a member of Team DHL, a collection of former U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Spirit Award winners serving as ambassadors for the awards.

About DHL
A supplier of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), DHL is the Official Express Delivery and Logistics Provider of the 2006 United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams. DHL provides express delivery and logistics services to fulfill the shipping needs of the U.S. Olympic Committee and Teams, including sporting and medical equipment and Team apparel, and is committed to delivering the Olympic Spirit all across America.

Information about DHL’s U.S. Olympic Spirit program is available online at the DHL U.S. Olympic Spirit micro site (www.dhl-usa.com/olympicspirit/).

At DHL, Customer Service is back in shipping. Our mission is to provide the most flexible, personable and enjoyable experience in the shipping industry for our customers.

With annual revenues over $32 billion in 2004, DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.

DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport and logistics solutions, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. Over 170,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers’ expectations. Founded in San Francisco in 1969, DHL’s international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. For more information on DHL, please visit www.dhl.com.

Beth Bourgeois
Communications Manager
U.S. Paralympics
(719) 866-2039
beth.bourgeois@usoc.org

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