BP wins US Olympic Committee award for its commitment to Paralympic support

The United States Olympic Committee has recognized BP’s commitment to US Paralympics with its Paralympic Amazing Impact Award, an honor given annually to organizations that raise awareness and support for the US Paralympic Movement. 

"The 2013 winners of our Paralympic Amazing Awards are delivering in the areas of grassroots development, elite high performance, sponsorship and philanthropy and telling the Paralympic story,” said USOC Chief of Paralympics Charlie Huebner. “BP is making a significant impact on the delivery of high quality programming to persons with physical disabilities throughout the United States."

In late 2011, BP announced that it would extend its support of the USOC and Team USA through the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. As part of this commitment, BP has placed a special focus on supporting the USOC’s Paralympic community.

BP is raising awareness at a grassroots level through its support of local Paralympic Sports Clubs (PSCs). The company is strengthening the link between the community and Paralympic movement by establishing partnerships between these local sports clubs and the thousands of BP branded fuel retailers in the US. BP and its branded marketers are utilizing its Fuelling Communities program to build and foster relationships with PSCs.  In addition, BP provides support through various programs such as local fund- raising efforts and equipment donations to PSCs across the country. 

“Paralympic Sport Club members and aspiring athletes alike are grateful to BP, which is dedicated to help elevate the Paralympic movement,” said Ray Martin, a four-time gold medallist in track and field at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Fuelling Communities allows owners and operators of BP retail gas stations to give back to the communities in which they operate by providing grant funding for local causes. The program supports local causes in the areas of health, education, youth, food and housing.

BP retailers, in turn, are helping to bring Paralympic sport demonstrations to local community events and festivals, raising funds throughout their network of retail outlets, and supporting the USOC’s efforts to build Paralympic programming at a local level.

“Without the North Jersey Navigators Paralympic Sport Club, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Martin added. “The Paralympic Sport Club has not only given me the opportunity to compete at an elite level, but has provided me with great support and a sense of community.”

The award will be presented at this year’s Paralympic Leadership Conference in Colorado Springs, Colo., which draws more than 300 community, government, and military leaders. The conference focuses on expanding availability of sports programming – by coordinating efforts of those organizations involved with the Paralympic Movement, as well as those who want to start a new Paralympic sports club across the country.

About the USOC

Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., the US 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 US 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.

About BP

BP has invested more in the United States over the last five years than any other oil and gas company. With more than $55 billion in capital spending between 2008 and 2012, BP invests more in the US than in any other country. The company is the nation’s second largest producer of oil and gas, a major oil refiner and a leader in alternative energy sources. With 21,000 US employees, BP supports nearly a quarter of a million domestic jobs through its business activities. For more information, visit www.bp.com. 

Notes to Editors

BP and its Branded Marketers provide different types of support to strengthen each PSC relationship. Examples include:

• BP businesses have partnered with numerous PSCs to increase attendance and interest at trade shows, conferences, and community events, and to bring awareness to the Paralympic activities in local communities.
• Since 2011, BP and its Brander Marketers donated more than $400,000 in funds and equipment to 23 Paralympic Sport Clubs around the country through programs like the Fuelling Communities program and retail network fundraising efforts. These fundraising efforts included onsite promotions and sales of wristbands and window clings at BP’s network of retail outlets.
• BP sponsored the Paralympic portion of the USOC’s Road to London Tour, an interactive sporting experience where fans experienced the challenge of shooting a basketball while navigating a basketball court in a wheelchair. The Tour went to more than 20 locations across the US and had more than 5 million attendees.
• BP is now in its third year as an Associate Sponsor of the Military Paralympic Games, commonly known as the Warrior Games. BP provides not only sponsorship of the Games, but also volunteers, as well as hosts events for the athletes and their families.