Olympians Natalie Coughlin and Kim Vandenberg Take a Break from Swim Training to Embark on First-Ever USO Tour to Spain
Arlington, VA (PRWEB) October 04, 2013 -- Twitter Pitch: @NatalieCoughlin and @tweeeeeeeetme to spend time with military families on @the_USO tour to Spain!
What: USO Tour Featuring Olympic Medalists Natalie Coughlin and Kim Vandenberg
When: October 5-9, 2013
Note. USO photos available throughout tour
Where: Spain
Why: Taking a break from early morning practices, swim meets and training, Olympic medalists Natalie Coughlin and Kim Vandenberg will travel to Spain and participate in their first USO tour October 5-9. While in the region, Coughlin and Vandenberg will spend time with troops and their families stationed Naval Station Rota and Moron Air Base. The pair will also visit various work sites on post, share insights on what it is like to compete in the Olympic Games and encourage youth to follow their dreams.
The first woman in Olympic history to win back-to-back gold medals in the 100m backstroke and the only American female athlete to win six medals at a single Olympics (at the 2008 Beijing Olympics), Coughlin is a 12-time Olympic medalist. The talented swimmer left the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2004 Athens Olympics as the most decorated female athlete – having won a medal for every single Olympic event she’s ever entered. Coughlin began competing when she was six-years-old and now holds more than 49 medals (22 gold, 17 silver and 10 bronze).
Swimming competitively since the age of eight, Vandenberg is one of the fastest butterfly swimmers in the world. She has competed and medaled at the Olympics, World Championships and Pan American Games. After the Beijing Olympics, she moved to France to compete in European competitions. When she isn’t in the pool, Vandenberg is an Ambassador to several nonprofits, an aspiring photographer and a swimwear designer.
Quotes: Attributed to Natalie Coughlin:
“I’ve accomplished a lot in swimming and I owe that to not only my coaches, family and friends but also our nation’s service men and women and their families who protect, defend and allow me to live out my dream today. This USO tour is really special to me and I can’t wait for it to start.“
Attributed to Kim Vandenberg:
“Swimming is and will always be my first love and I am eager to share my passion with the military. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than talking to kids, sharing my experiences and what I’ve learned, and encouraging them. I am excited to go out on my first USO tour and spend time with those who do so much for us.”
Note: The USO is always by the side of our troops and their families around the world, with events like this “Olympic Swimmers” USO tour to Spain. Visit USO.org to learn more about the USO and how it supports those who need us most - our nation’s deployed troops, military families, wounded ill and injured troops and their caregivers as well as families of the fallen.
About the USO
The USO lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases in the U.S. and abroad, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops, military families, wounded warriors and families of the fallen. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs and services are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.
In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President’s Circle Partners: American Airlines, AT&T, Clear Channel, The Coca-Cola Company, Grand Canyon University, jcpenney, Jeep, Kangaroo Express, Kroger, Lowe’s, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Procter & Gamble and TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Worldwide Strategic Partners: BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation and TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern GmbH & Co. KG. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join us in this patriotic mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.
Oname Thompson, USO, http://www.uso.org, +1 (703) 908-6471, [email protected]
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