Women's Ski Jumping Accepted Into Olympics After Long Fight

SALT LAKE CITY, April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (NYSE: USNA), a nutritional supplements manufacturer based in Salt Lake City, is proud to be the Official Health Supplement Supplier of the U.S. Women's Ski Jumping team (WSJ-USA), the newest addition to the 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games.  For the first time in Olympic history, women are allowed to participate in the discipline of ski jumping.

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"USANA could not be happier to be part of this historic moment.  These women are an inspiration, and we are thrilled to continue supporting this elite team of athletes," said Dan Macuga, USANA's Vice President of Marketing.

Women's ski jumping is becoming an increasingly popular sport to compete in worldwide.  Lindsay Van, of Park City, Utah, is the sport's first female world champion, and for over 10 years Van and the team have fought to be included in the Games.  "We know we're ready and we want to show the world in Sochi in 2014," Van said in 2010.  The IOC rejected women's ski jumping for the 2010 Winter Olympics and that only fueled Van and the team to push harder.

"I'm glad I didn't give up," Van said Wednesday at the Utah Olympic Park, site of the ski jumping events at the 2002 Winter Games.

Christophe De Kepper, IOC sports director, said Wednesday during a press briefing in London, the main reason a women's event was approved for Sochi 2014 is the increase in quality and depth in women's ski jumping.

"The support that USANA gives us is huge.  We would not be here if it wasn't for our sponsors who have seen the virtue of this and stuck with us.  Presently the entire program is run by the funding we generate through our sponsors and private donors," Peter Jerome, founder of WSJ, said.

USANA became a sponsor for WSJ-USA in November 2010 and held a send-off event at company headquarters in Salt Lake City.  "USANA's sponsorship is great, you get bars and vitamins and the financial help to keep going on trips and buying equipment.  Without USANA, we wouldn't be where we are today," Van said.

In addition to sponsoring the Visa Women's Ski Jumping Team, USANA demonstrates its commitment to sports by sponsoring teams and organizations such as the Women's Tennis Association, US Speedskating, USA Luge and many others.  In the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, USANA-sponsored athletes earned 22 medals.

About WSJ-USA: Women's Ski Jumping USA is a 501c3 nonprofit foundation that supports the Visa Women's Ski Jumping Team and promotes the sport for women internationally.  It is a primary goal of WSJ-USA to have women ski jumpers worldwide recognized for their accomplishments and be allowed to compete in the Olympic Winter Games.  Learn more at www.wsjusa.com.

About USANA: USANA Health Sciences develops and manufactures high-quality nutritionals, personal care, energy and weight management products that are sold directly to Preferred Customers and Associates throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Learn more at our website (www.usana.com), read our blog (www.whatsupusana.com), like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/usanahealthsciences), or follow us on Twitter (@usanainc).

For media inquiries, please contact:
Ashley Collins
USANA Director of Marketing, Public Relations & Social Media
(801) 954-7629
[email protected]

SOURCE USANA Health Sciences, Inc.