Rick Hansen and Kelly Murumets Win Coca-Cola's "Live Positively Award" at
Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

VANCOUVER, Feb. 18 /CNW/ - Today The Coca-Cola Company honours Rick Hansen and Kelly Murumets with its "Live Positively Award" at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Coca-Cola's Live Positively Awards celebrate people who inspire others to create a more positive Canada. The Live Positively Awards grew out of Coca-Cola's commitment to make sustainability an integral part of its business operations and to develop initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance economic development. They were designed to remind us that while the Olympic Games may come and go every few years, the ideals of the Games--the lessons they offer and the positive inspiration they provide--never wane.

Rick Hansen

A celebrated athlete, a catalyst for change in society's attitudes and a man dedicated to making a difference, Rick Hansen is best known as Canada's Man In Motion. In his legendary Man In Motion World Tour, Rick wheeled more than 40,000 km through 34 countries, raising $26 million for spinal cord injury research and quality of life programs. Now, as President & CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation, Rick has helped to generate more than $200 million for the cause. Perhaps more important than the funds he has raised is the work he has done in shifting public consciousness. Rick has created a new awareness of the capabilities of people with disabilities. For nearly 40 years Rick has exemplified the essence of living positively. Canada and the world are better because of his positive outlook and his constant forward progress.

"I would like to thank Coca-Cola for presenting me with their Live Positively Award," said Rick Hansen, President & CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation. "I receive the award on behalf of my team who works diligently everyday to better the lives of thousands of Canadians. Recognition of our work inspires me to work harder in the future."

Kelly Murumets

As president and CEO of ParticipACTION, Kelly Murumets is the lead voice behind the growing physical activity and sport participation movement in Canada. Kelly and ParticipACTION are always finding innovative ways to inspire and motivate Canadians-young and old alike-to build movement into their day. She has revitalized a once-dormant organization and turned it into the driving force it is today, inspiring Canadians of all ages to get up and active. Kelly has given tireless voice to a message that can improve the quality of life for Canadians. It is a message that, when boiled down, is very simple - just move more. Every day, Kelly works towards achieving her vision of changing the way the world views active living and thanks to her undaunted work thousands of Canadians are more active today.

"It is a privilege to be recognized amongst individuals who work tirelessly to better their communities and the lives of those around them. At ParticipACTION, it is my mission to give Canadians the support and encouragement they need to get more active. I believe that physical activity can be a positive force in each of our lives-fortifying our minds, bodies and spirit," said Kelly Murumets, president and CEO of ParticipACTION, the national voice of physical activity and sport participation. "Thank you, Coca-Cola, for this incredible honour."

"As true leaders in the area of active living, Rick Hansen and Kelly Murumets are not only inspiring Canadians to live positively, they are making a real difference for our shared future," said Nikos Koumettis, President, Coca-Cola Ltd., Canada. "For their relentlessly positive outlook and their impact on the bodies and minds of the Canadian people, we are pleased and privileged to present them both with The 2010 Coca-Cola Live Positively Award. Rick Hansen and Kelly Murumets are living proof that if we all do a little bit, we can make a big difference."

With a focus on environmental sustainability and active living, Coca-Cola's Live Positively Awards recognize organizations and individuals who turn their passion for improving the well-being of Canadians into actions that have a positive impact in their local communities. Additional recipients will be announced throughout the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The award is a frosted Coca-Cola bottle set in a wood shadow box, depicting the Coca-Cola emblem for Live Positively. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games marks the third edition of the Coca-Cola Live Positively Awards. The program was inaugurated as "The Coca-Cola Award: Live Olympic" during the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games and was presented for the first time as "The Live Positively Award" during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

About Coca-Cola and the Olympic Movement

The Coca-Cola Company has been an Olympic Games partner since 1928 and is the longest continuous corporate supporter of the Olympic Movement. In addition, The Coca-Cola Company is a seven time sponsor of the Olympic Torch Relay. The Company works with National Olympic Committees in more than 200 countries to help athletes train and compete. More than 90 percent of the Coca-Cola system's investment in the Olympic Games is directed to athlete development and to assist in staging the Games. Products of The Coca-Cola Company refresh athletes, volunteers, officials and spectators during the Olympic Games; and supporting programs such as the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay allows Coca-Cola to help share the Olympic Spirit around the world. The Coca-Cola Company is the exclusive nonalcoholic beverage provider to the Olympic Games through 2020.

NOTE TO EDITORS: All accredited and unaccredited media are invited to attend the Coca-Cola Live Positively Awards ceremonies between February 13 and February 28 at various times at the BCMC Media Theatre at Robson Square.

Rick Hansen and Kelly Murumets will be presented with their Live Positively Awards today, February 18 at 4p.m. PST at the BCMC Media Theatre at Robson Square.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Media Contact: Mandy Dinning, Hill & Knowlton, [phone], [email protected]