Chobani® Announces Sponsorship of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Athletes and Hopefuls for London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

NEW BERLIN, N.Y., May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With less than 100 days before the London 2012 Olympic Games, Chobani®, a proud first-time sponsor of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Team USA, is pleased to announce its sponsorship of six U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls for the 2012 Games who will represent the company as Team Chobani.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120510/CG04292)

Chosen based on their passion, dedication and embodiment of Chobani's "Nothing But Good" spirit in their personal and professional pursuits Team Chobani includes:

• Lauren Cheney, 2012 Olympic hopeful and 2008 Olympic gold medalist, soccer
• Lashinda Demus, 2012 Olympic hopeful and 2004 Olympian, track & field
• Matt Grevers, 2012 Olympian and 2008 Olympic gold (x2) and silver medalist, swimming
• Steven Lopez, 2012 Olympian and three-time Olympian and medalist: gold (2000 and 2004) and bronze (2008) medalist, taekwondo
• John Orozco, 2012 Olympic hopeful, gymnastics
• Allison Jones, 2012 Paralympic hopeful, cycling and five-time Paralympian and four-time medalist in cycling and alpine skiing in both Summer and Winter Paralympic Games: gold (2006) silver (x2, 2002), silver (2008)

"Like Chobani, these six inspiring athletes are driven by heart. We too began our journey with a dream. With hard work and the support of our amazing employees, farmers, local communities and fans, we turned an abandoned factory into a near billion dollar business in less than five years," said Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder, President and CEO of Chobani.  "It's an honor to be naturally powering Team Chobani and Team USA and supporting them on their journey to the London Games to help their Olympic dreams come true."

As the official packaged yogurt provider to the USOC and Team USA, authentic strained Chobani Greek Yogurt will be made available to every athlete living or training at the U.S. Olympic Training Centers in Colorado Springs, Colo., Chula Vista, Calif., and Lake Placid, N.Y. Additionally, Chobani will follow Team USA to London where it will be served at the USA House and High Performance Training Center during the London Olympic Games. The agreement, which runs through 2014, represents a new sponsor and category addition for the USOC.

John Orozco, 2012 Olympic hopeful and Team Chobani athlete said, "It's great to have Chobani available at the training center because it plays such an important role in my training diet by providing me with high quality protein – especially in the recovery phase of my workouts. I was hooked after the first taste."

Team Chobani athletes will be featured in mix of TV, digital and out-of-home advertising through the conclusion of the London Games.

Backed by USOC dietitians, Chobani Greek Yogurt is deliciously creamy and made with only natural ingredients. The high-protein yogurt is a great pre- and post-workout recovery fuel for all walks of life, including athletes training to perform at the highest levels to consumers looking to live a healthful, active lifestyle.

About Chobani 

Maker of America's #1 selling yogurt brand—authentic strained Chobani Greek Yogurt—Chobani was founded on the belief that people have great taste; they just need great options. That is why Chobani produces only the highest quality, best tasting products made with only natural ingredients out of their South Edmeston, N.Y. production facility. The company is also constructing a second domestic 900,000 square-foot production plant in Twin Falls, I.D., which will be the largest yogurt plant in the county. As part of Chobani's Nothing But Good philosophy, they are committed to supporting local farmers and strengthening their surrounding area economies. They use milk from New York-area farms and give a portion of their annual profits to charities worldwide through their Shepherd's Gift Foundation, the company's charitable arm. All Chobani products are gluten free, Kosher certified, made with milk free of rBST and provide two times more protein than regular yogurt, five live and active cultures, and three strains of probiotics. Chobani retails for MSRP $1.29/6oz, $3.29/16oz, $5.99/32oz, and $3.99/Champions 4-pack. Chobani products are available nationwide. For more information, visit chobani.com. 

About the USOC

Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., the U.S. Olympic Committee serves as both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States. As such, the USOC is responsible for the training, entering and funding of U.S. teams for the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games, while serving as a steward of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements throughout the country. For more information, visit TeamUSA.org.

SOURCE Chobani