Video series to air this fall on Universal Sports features Olympians sharing their personal Everest dreams, while encouraging viewers to set their own goals and milestones by participating in Champion's Mount Everest program with a chance to win $10,000 WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Champion Athletic Apparel, through a partnership with Universal Sports, has teamed up with six U.S. Winter Olympic athletes to star in a series of motivational videos that explore their dreams and goals by answering the question, "What's your Everest?" Universal Sports will air the athletes' video vignettes now through the end of 2009 during its coverage of major winter sporting events on its broadcast channel carried by cable and satellite TV providers and on the UniversalSports.com Web site. The symbolic Everest of luge veteran Ruben Gonzalez is to make his fourth Olympic Games. For downhill skier Tyson Bolduc, earning a pilot's license after the Games would put him on top of the world. The Universal Sports video vignettes, which will reach 55 million households in major markets around the country, are part of Champion apparel's "What's Your Everest" marketing campaign and online community to support people in reaching their personal aspirations and goals. Champion is partnering in a Mount Everest expedition in spring 2010, including outfitting the climbing team with innovative Champion and Duofold cold-weather gear, and has created an Expedition Champion Web site, http://www.climbeverestwithus.com/. Visitors to Champion's Everest Web site may enter the "What's Your Everest?" community by submitting a video or written entry answering the question for a chance to win $10,000. Visitors may also provide supportive feedback to the community members who have declared their personal Everest goals. "Everyone has an Everest dream. The 'What's Your Everest?' program is the perfect complement to the Champion brand message about living an active lifestyle and striving for personal achievement," said Claire Powell, director of Champion apparel marketing. "Through these amazing Olympians, we want to engage the everyday athlete and provide an opportunity for one of them to achieve something they may feel is unattainable." The Olympians Reveal Their Personal Mount Everests The athletes - ranging from veterans to up-and-coming stars - will be competing in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver on behalf of the United States. The videos serve as a platform for the athletes to share their encouraging stories of personal growth and reveal surprising achievements that demonstrate the possibilities. Luge veteran Gonzalez, an author and sought-after motivational speaker, shares his unique experience of recently qualifying for his fourth Olympic games. "My Everest is to compete in four Olympics in four decades," he declares. Gonzalez's path to Olympic glory was unusual. He didn't believe himself to be a particularly gifted athlete. He took up the sport of luge at age 21, and by age 39 he was racing against 20-year-olds in the Salt Lake Games in 2002. Skier Bolduc will compete in various downhill events this winter but has already achieved his personal Everest of winning a national title. His new Everest is a little outside of his Olympic skill set: to get a pilot's license that will allow him to experience what he calls helicopter skiing. "One day, I'd like to fly a helicopter to the top of a mountain with my friends, and ski down it," he states. The other participating athletes are Bill Schuffenhauer (bobsled), Marco Sullivan (alpine skiing), Shannon Bahrke (freestyle mogul) and Steve Nyman (alpine skiing). "By partnering with Champion Athletic Apparel, our hope is for the fans of Universal Sports of all ages and backgrounds to be motivated by the dedication of these amazing athletes to declare their own Everest," said Doug Neiman, vice president of sales and sponsorships. "With gold medal and other aspirations, these athletes show that every person has dreams that can be achieved through personal strength and motivation." The athletes' videos will be available on UniversalSports.com and on its cable channel November 13, 2009 through the end of the year. The TV segments will air during coverage of major winter sporting events and run in 42 markets as well as on Direct TV reaching 55 million households nationwide. The Champion "What's Your Everest?" Community Since launching its Everest Web site in September 2009, Champion has received hundreds of inspirational submissions from individuals whose dreams and aspirations range from being a good parent to bringing about world peace. "We continue to be incredibly impressed and inspired by the individuals who have already taken part in this program," Powell added. "We hope see even more people participating in the coming months before we select our $10,000 winner." About Champion and Duofold Champion offers a full line of innovative athletic apparel for men and women including sport bras, activewear, team uniforms, sweats and accessories. Champion can be purchased at most sporting goods and department stores. For more information about Champion apparel, visit http://www.championusa.com/. Introduced in 1906, Duofold is a leader in base layer apparel for men, women and children. As an outfitter of the National Ski Patrol, Professional Ski Instructors of America and American Association of Snowboard Instructors, Duofold is the expert in helping winter athletes and outdoor enthusiasts perform at their best even under the most challenging weather conditions. Duofold is best known for its popular Varitherm and Originals cold-weather products. For more information visit http://www.duofold.com/. Duofold is a brand of Hanesbrands Inc. Champion and Duofold are owned by Hanesbrands Inc. (http://www.hanesbrands.com/). About Universal Sports Universal Sports, a partnership between NBC Sports and InterMedia Partners, serves as the preeminent multiplatform destination for Olympic-related and lifestyle sports programming available on television and online. Universal Sports is available in 56 million homes, including nine of the top 10 DMAs: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas-Fort Worth and Washington, D.C. Recent expansion includes launches in Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Denver, Portland, and Jacksonville. Go to UniversalSports.com for a complete list of TV markets. Major world championship and Olympic qualifying events found on Universal Sports range from track and field, skiing, swimming, gymnastics, marathons and cycling, to volleyball, rowing, triathlon, fencing, speed skating and martial arts. UniversalSports.com delivers an immersive experience via live and on-demand competition coverage, interaction with top athletes through blogs and in-depth access to Olympic sports news and information year round. For more information on the availability of the Universal Sports 24-hour television channel, please visit UniversalSports.com. DATASOURCE: Hanesbrands Inc. CONTACT: Elizabeth Castro of O'Malley Hansen Communications, office, +1-708-358-1130, mobile, +1-708-557-0373, , for Hanesbrands Inc. Web Site: http://www.hanesbrands.com/ http://www.championusa.com/ http://www.duofold.com/ http://www.climbeverestwithus.com/

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