Survey: Maintaining Team USA's Health Is Top Concern

CINCINNATI, Feb. 26, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Thousands of the world's top athletes have convened in Vancouver to battle it out in the name of their country at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. After the Opening Ceremony is complete, these athletes will rely on their training, concentration and good health to earn them a spot on the winner's podium.  All three are important factors in going for the gold, however, if athletes don't feel well, the others may not matter. Before competition began, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) conducted a survey of U.S. Olympians on behalf of Procter & Gamble's Vicks® DayQuil & NyQuil, and Pepto-Bismol® with InstaCool to find out just how much not feeling well affects these athletes.  

"Team USA athletes are used to performing under tough conditions and overcoming injuries, but it's a different story when cold, flu or stomach symptoms are present," said Dr. Jim Moeller, USOC Chief Medical Officer. "Because illness can hit at any time, I make sure the Team USA medicine cabinet is full of Pepto-Bismol with InstaCool to relieve common stomach issues and Vicks DayQuil and Vicks NyQuil Cold and Flu products to help provide cough, cold and flu symptom relief."

Even though U.S. Olympic athletes are often in the best physical condition possible, when it comes to a cold or the flu they are just as susceptible as anyone. In fact, seven out of 10 athletes surveyed have missed a training session due to a cold or flu. U.S. Olympic athletes can control their training and preparation, but they can't always control their health. Seven out of 10 of the athletes admitted they were not always at their best during a competition due to effects from a cold or the flu. While getting the flu or a cold or suffering from digestive problems can't always be avoided, more than six out of 10 U.S. Olympic athletes surveyed turn to over-the-counter medications to relieve their symptoms and more than 75 percent turn to Pepto-Bismol for stomach issues because it works fast.

Three out of five surveyed U.S. Olympic athletes believe a good night's sleep is the best way to get back on their feet if they get sick. Vicks NyQuil relieves cold and flu symptoms so athletes can get the sleep they need to feel restored in the morning. Vicks DayQuil provides multiple cold symptom relief so athletes can get their power back and be at their best throughout the day. To learn more about Vicks, the official cold, cough and flu medicine sponsor of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team log onto www.vicks.com.

In order to help the U.S. Olympic athletes keep their cool on the road, Pepto-Bismol will provide new Pepto-Bismol Chewable Tablets with InstaCool technology, which provide an instant cooling sensation letting athletes know relief is on the way.  Pepto-Bismol is the leading choice for people who are looking for one solution to multiple common stomach symptoms such as nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, belching, and traveler's diarrhea.  To learn more about Pepto-Bismol, log onto www.pepto-bismol.com.

About Vicks®

As a trusted family brand for more than 100 years and one of the most recognized around the world, Vicks has helped generation after generation feel relief from cough, cold, flu and sinus symptoms. NyQuil is the #1 pharmacist recommended brand for Adult Cold Nighttime Relief.(1) Available in more than 70 countries and on 5 continents, the Vicks family includes Vicks® DayQuil® Plus Vitamin C, Vicks® NyQuil® Plus Vitamin C,  Vicks Early Defense Nasal Decongestant, NyQuil Cold/Flu LiquiCaps, NyQuil Cold/Flu, NyQuil Cough, NyQuil Sinus, Children's NyQuil, DayQuil Cold/Flu LiquiCaps, DayQuil Cold/Flu, DayQuil Cough, DayQuil Sinus, VapoRub Ointment, VapoRub Cream, BabyRub, Casero Chest Congestion Relief, Vicks® Formula 44 Custom Care Sore Throat Lozenges, Vicks® Formula 44 Custom Care Sore Throat Spray, Vicks® Formula 44 Custom Care Chesty Cough, Vicks® Formula 44 Custom Care Congestion, Vicks® Formula 44 Custom Care Dry Cough, Vicks® Formula 44 Custom Care Cough & Cold PM, Vicks® Formula 44 Custom Care Body Aches, Pediatric Vicks® 44®e Cough & Chest Congestion Relief, Pediatric Vicks® 44®m Cold & Cough Relief, Sinex Nasal Spray, Sinex 12 Hour Spray, Sinex Ultra Fine Mist, Sinex 12 Hour Ultra Fine Mist, Vicks Cough Drops, Vicks Vitamin C Drops. Headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, Vicks is owned and distributed by Procter & Gamble.

(1) Survey conducted by Pharmacy Times, OTC Supplement, Adult Cold-Nighttime, June 2009

About Pepto-Bismol

Pepto-Bismol is the only leading brand that can provide soothing relief for five different stomach symptoms: nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach and diarrhea. Manufactured and distributed by Procter & Gamble, Pepto-Bismol is available in multiple forms and flavors: liquid, chewables, caplets, InstaCool, Cherry and Original flavor, Regular and Maximum Strength and Children's Pepto Antacid. For additional information, please visit www.pepto-bismol.com.

About Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG)

Four billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun® and Fusion®. The P&G community includes approximately 135,000 employees working in about 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

As the Proud Sponsor of Team USA, P&G is supporting world class athletes to be the best they can be as they compete on the world stage. Eighteen P&G brands are sponsoring Team USA with more than 80% of the sponsorship going directly to athlete training and support.

In addition, P&G is the Proud Sponsor of Team USA Families. The P&G Family Home in Vancouver will provide athletes, moms and families with a home-away-from-home during the Olympic Winter Games. For the first time in Olympic history, families will have access to a secure and comfortable environment including meals, viewing lounges, internet access and more. P&G brands will be providing the P&G beauty salon and spa, Pampers play village, Pringles Wii lounge, Tide laundry service, Charmin bathroom, Crest/Oral-B "Smile with U.S.!" room, and more.

Finally, as the Proud Sponsor of Moms, P&G is launching a corporate campaign celebrating all that moms - Olympic and otherwise - do for their children. For the first time ever, P&G is supporting all Team USA Olympic moms with a "Thanks Mom Gift" to help defray travel costs and ensure they can watch their children compete at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

About the USOC

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. Please visit www.teamusa.org for more information.

SOURCE Procter & Gamble