Photo by © Adam Nurkiewicz / Mediasport
Herbalife is renewing its partnership with the Special Olympics through a multi-faceted, $1 million sponsorship of the global movement.
The collaboration centers on fitness programming available to the Special Olympics community, including more than 4.5 million athletes in about 170 countries. Though it uses sport to empower people with intellectual disabilities, the organization is about more than athletic competition, said Kyle Washburn, Director of Fitness for Special Olympics. “We surround our athletes with a community that supports them through sport, health and the expansion of fitness.”
Through the new sponsorship, Herbalife’s team of staff scientists will supply nutrition expertise and educational content to Special Olympics athletes, coaches and caregivers. Additionally, the company’s Senior Manager of Sports Performance and Education, Dana Ryan, Ph.D., is joining the Special Olympics Global Fitness Task Force, whose subject-matter experts and athletes advise the organization on its ongoing fitness programming.
The nutrition firm also said it will add the Special Olympics logo to select protein products to help raise awareness of the movement.
“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 Johnson, Herbalife Chairman and CEO. “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.”
The California company was heavily involved with Special Olympics during the 2015 Summer World Games in Los Angeles. Herbalife members and employees sponsored approximately 10 percent of the World Games athletes, and company facilities served as a registration hub for thousands of athletes, coaches and volunteers. The company also made a donation of more than 280,000 nutrition bars.