Nutrition company Herbalife (NYSE: HLF) unveiled a $1 million collaboration with Special Olympics to support the organization’s fitness programming around the world, focusing on increasing physical activity and improving nutrition and hydration.
The company will lend nutrition expertise and educational content, including videos and other materials, for coaches, athletes, care givers and the broader Special Olympics community.
“Special Olympics is about more than athletic competition,” said Kyle Washburn, director of fitness at Special Olympics. “We surround our athletes with a community that supports them through sport, health and the expansion of fitness.”
As part of the sponsorship, Dana Ryan, Ph.D., senior manager of Sports Performance and Education for Herbalife, will join the Special Olympics Global Fitness Task Force to bring additional perspective and expertise to support Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families and supporters.
Helping to further raise awareness for the importance of nutrition and living a healthy, active lifestyle, a variety of Herbalife Nutrition protein products will feature the Special Olympics logo in select global markets. The Global Fitness Task Force is an international committee of fitness experts and athletes collaborating to improve Special Olympics athlete sport performance and health through the vehicle of fitness.
“Our mission is to bring nutrition to people around the world and to provide support for those seeking to embrace a healthy, active lifestyle,” said Michael O. Johnson, chairman and CEO, Herbalife. “Our global Herbalife community is inspired by Special Olympics and its amazing athletes, and we are proud to provide them with nutrition and fitness resources.”
At the Special Olympics 2015 Summer World Games in Los Angeles, Herbalife Nutrition’s members and employees sponsored approximately 10 percent of the Special Olympic athletes competing at World Games. Additionally, Herbalife Nutrition donated 280,000 nutrition bars and the use of its facilities to register and credential thousands of athletes, coaches and volunteers.
To learn more about the Special Olympics, World Games, and volunteer opportunities visit specialolympics.org/Sponsors/Herbalife.aspx.
