Nike announces expansion of LIVESTRONG product to Canada

Lance Armstrong's LIVESTRONG Continues Fighting for the 28 Million People Living with Cancer

TORONTO, June 30 /CNW/ - Today, LIVESTRONG and NIKE Inc. launch an international expansion of their signature collection beyond the United States to Canada, France and the United Kingdom as a way to continue spreading a message of hope.

The new global collection of LIVESTRONG footwear, apparel and accessories will launch in Canada with the Fall 2010 collection tomorrow, July 1.

"I'm very proud to see LIVESTRONG further our mission internationally, build momentum and give people the resources and support they need to fight cancer effectively," said Lance Armstrong. "We've found innovative ways to raise awareness, but the fight is far from over and so I'm encouraged to see LIVESTRONG make an impact in Canada, France and the UK."

As Lance chases his eighth Tour de France victory, his sights remain set on erasing the stigma of cancer while encouraging people to get involved in the cause. LIVESTRONG fights for the 28 million people around the world living with cancer and the charitable contributions from the product collection are a key driver. Since 2004, Nike has helped the Lance Armstrong Foundation raise more than US$80 million.

In addition to Nike stores, the LIVESTRONG collection will also be offered exclusively at Sport Chek stores across the country, beginning July 1, 2010.

"For years, the scope and impact of LIVESTRONG have been an inspiration to millions of people around the world," says Mark Hindman, Vice-President Corporate Marketing, Forzani Group. "It's an honour for Sport Chek to partner with LIVESTRONG and offer this collection to Canadians in our stores across the country. I personally take great pride in wearing the LIVESTRONG collection as I know it is making a positive contribution towards the battle against cancer."

The Fall 2010 LIVESTRONG Collection is rooted in performance, style and function. With a full line of items ranging from accessories to apparel to footwear, the collection has grown tremendously since the iconic yellow LIVESTRONG wristband debuted in 2004, with more than 70 million wristbands distributed to date.

Nike created the LIVESTRONG collection of running and training apparel, footwear and accessories in 2008. Later this year, the Holiday 2010 Collection launches on October 1.

Apart from the products, supporters of LIVESTRONG can submit messages of hope and inspiration at www.nike.com/LIVESTRONG, and via interactive banners on Facebook and Twitter, to a custom-made "Chalkbot" that will write those messages in yellow chalk on the roads of the Tour de France. This chalking follows the cycling tradition of writing inspirational messages along the course. These consumers will then receive an email with GPS coordinates providing the location where their message will be inscribed.

About the Nike LIVESTRONG Collection

Nike, a long-time supporter of Lance Armstrong and the fight against cancer, created the iconic yellow LIVESTRONG wristband in 2004 and has been instrumental in bringing the cancer fight to the global stage, with more than 70 million bands distributed to date. Nike went on to create the LIVESTRONG collection of running and training apparel, footwear and accessories in 2008, enabling people to show their support and wear sports products that inspire and empower people affected by cancer. The Nike LIVESTRONG collection invites consumers to show their support for LIVESTRONG and the 28 million people in the world living with cancer by wearing yellow. The collection is currently available in the U.S. at select retailers and online atwww.LIVESTRONG.org/shop, and www.nike.com/LIVESTRONG.

About LIVESTRONG

Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong and based in Austin, Texas, LIVESTRONG fights for the 28 million people around the world living with cancer today. LIVESTRONG connects individuals to the support they need, leverages funding and resources to spur innovation and engages communities and leaders to drive social change. Known for the iconic yellow wristband, LIVESTRONG's mission is to inspire and empower anyone affected by cancer. For more information, visit www.LIVESTRONG.org.

About NIKE, Inc.

NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned Nike subsidiaries include Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com.

About The Forzani Group Ltd.

The Forzani Group Ltd. is Canada's largest national retailer of sporting goods, offering a comprehensive assortment of brand-name and private-brand products, operating stores from coast to coast, under the following corporate and franchise banners: Sport Chek, Sport Mart, Athletes World, National Sports, Sports Experts, Intersport, Econosports, Atmosphere, Tech Shop, Pegasus, Nevada Bob's Golf, Hockey Experts, The Fitness Source, and S3. The Forzani Group Ltd. also has websites for several of its corporate and franchise banners which can be accessed through its main website at www.forzanigroup.com.

For further information: Media Contacts: Melanie Dulos, Cathy Mitchell, APEX Public Relations Inc., Office: 416-924-4442 (254/236), Mobile: [phone], [email protected], [email protected]