BEIJING, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United States, Jim Scherr, Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee, and U.S. Olympians Steven Lopez, Mark Lopez, Diana Lopez (taekwondo) and Howard Bach (badminton) today officially opened the Bank of America Hometown Hopefuls(R) Family Center. Located in the heart of Beijing, the Family Center recognizes the important role that families and friends play in the life of an elite athlete, and provides them with a home away from home during the 2008 Olympic Games.
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In his remarks at the dedication ceremony of the Family Center, Mr. Bush said, "I would like to commend Bank of America for the tremendous support they are giving the U.S. Olympic Team through the Hometown Hopefuls Family Center. Bank of America's support creates opportunities for the United States to help train, outfit and send America's athletes to the Olympic Games and ensure that the loved ones who helped them get there can complete the journey as well."
Through the Bank of America Hometown Hopefuls Family Center, nearly 600 U.S. Olympians and their family members have access to free hospitality during the 17 days of competition, making their visit to Beijing more affordable and, in some cases, even possible. The Family Center offers many of the comforts of home including: complimentary lunch, dinner and other refreshments; wide-screen televisions with closed-circuit Olympic coverage; concierge services provided by The Hilton Family(R) of hotels; complimentary tickets to an Olympic event for up to four family members; and an Internet Cafe provided by Lenovo(R) for athletes and their families who are eager to stay connected with others back home in the United States.
"We are honored to support the athletes who are representing the U.S. in Olympic competition, and recognize the personal sacrifices their family and friends have made to support, encourage and foster each athlete's Olympic dream," said Kenneth D. Lewis, chairman and chief executive officer, Bank of America. "We hope that participation in the Hometown Hopefuls Family Center program adds to their experience here in Beijing, as all the members of Team USA compete on the world's greatest stage."
"Family support has always been vital to my athletic performance," said Steven Lopez. "Bank of America has been and continues to be a valuable and committed partner, providing my family with a home away from home during their time in Beijing, which is comforting to me as I prepare to represent America in Olympic competition."
Throughout the Olympic Games, Bank of America will operate the Family Center from 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m., providing the following refreshments and services:
-- 49,725 Bottles of spring water -- 38,675 Slices of pizza -- 33,150 Ounces of melon coconut soup -- 27,635 Bottles of Diet Coke -- 22,100 Pot stickers -- 16,575 Mu Shu wrappers -- 6,800 Glasses of white wine -- 2,900 Pounds of shrimp -- 1 Calling Card per family provided by AT&T -- 36 laptops provided by Lenovo(R)
The Family Center will also provide America's athletes with motivational support through a collection of more than 20,000 cheers from fans back home. The support is a result of America's Cheer(TM), a grassroots campaign launched by Bank of America in April that provided an opportunity for all Americans to cheer on the nation's finest athletes as they prepared to compete at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. The cheers which will be on display in the Family Center come in all different forms -- energetic videos, audio recordings, heartfelt letters and inspiring photos. Fans can continue to show their support for Team USA during the Games by visiting http://www.americascheer.com/
"At an Olympic Games, athletes are focused on their performance. The Bank of America Hometown Hopefuls program allows them to have peace of mind with regard to their families' Olympic experience," said USOC chief executive officer Jim Scherr. "In addition to providing a centralized location for the families of U.S. Olympians, the program affords America's Olympic athletes a place to interact and celebrate their success at the Games."
Bank of America is widely recognized as a major corporate sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, making it possible for the nation's best athletes to represent the United States in world-class competition. Bank of America's involvement with the Olympic Movement dates back to 1992, when it first signed on as an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team that competed in Barcelona, Spain. The company has supported every U.S. Olympic Team since, including the Americans who will compete in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Support of America's Athletes
Bank of America's commitment to U.S. Olympic athletes is realized through the Bank of America Hometown Hopefuls(R) program. Through this program, the bank provides financial support and marketing exposure to 12 U.S. Olympic athletes and hopefuls. They include: Tony Azevedo (waterpolo); Howard Bach (badminton); Shannon Boxx (soccer); Jennie Finch (softball); Brett Heyl (kayak); Sada Jacobson (fencing); swimmers Cullen Jones, Tara Kirk and Aaron Peirsol; Ogonna Nnamani (volleyball); Alicia Sacramone (gymnastics); and Lauryn Williams (track & field).
U.S. Olympic Committee
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the sole entity in the United States whose mission involves training, entering and underwriting the full expenses for the U.S. teams in the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. In addition to being the steward of the U.S. Olympic Movement, the USOC is the moving force for support of sports in the United States that are on the program of the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. Learn more about the U.S. Olympic Team and Paralympic Teams and the USOC at http://www.teamusa.org/
Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk-management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving more than 59 million consumer and small business relationships with more than 6,100 retail banking offices, more than 18,500 ATMs and award-winning online banking with more than 25 million active users. Bank of America offers industry leading support to more than 4 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients in more than 150 countries and has relationships with 99 percent of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies and 83 percent of the Fortune Global 500. Bank of America Corporation stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
http://www.bankofamerica.com/
EDITORS: Additional photos from the Opening Celebration and of the Bank of America Hometown Hopefuls Family Center in Beijing, China can be obtained by emailing
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