For Immediate Release:                                     Contact: Steven Wozniak or Carol Lish

January 22, 2008                                                           (208) 235-5604

Track Camp Expands Simplot Games Beyond February Event

POCATELLO, Idaho – After a few years of careful planning, the first annual Simplot Games Track Camp became a reality this past summer at Idaho State University.

Dick Fosbury, 1968 gold medal Olympian in the high jump, and famous for the "Fosbury Flop" technique used by high jumpers worldwide, helped bring the Camp to Pocatello.

"I knew there was a void where the kids don’t get that hands-on coaching in their event or specialty," says Fosbury. "A camp is a perfect opportunity to get specialty coaching for those events."

Rick Phillips, of the J.R. Simplot Company, helped develop the Simplot Games Track Camp and has helped organize Simplot Games for many years. Phillips felt there was also a need for a camp in this area to help the athletes in this region of the United States learn the techniques of track and field events.

"We think this will become a big annual summer event here in the city,” says Phillips.

Along with Fosbury, two other Olympians made their way to Pocatello: Andre Phillips, 1988 gold medal winner in the 400-meter hurdles, and Willie Banks, triple long jump Olympian and former triple jump world record holder, helped make the first year camp a success.

Banks was impressed on his first trip to Pocatello. "I love to see young people do well," says Banks. "It seems like this community has a commitment to youth, especially Simplot, and if I can support that in anyway I’m very excited about doing it."

Fosbury added that he was pleased with the first year of the camp and hopes the event will grow over the years to come.

"The time has come, and I think for a first year it’s a great success," says Fosbury. "I’m really pleased and excited that this will be something that will build over the future."

For more information on Simplot Games, please visit our website at www.simplotgames.com or you may contact Carol Lish at (208) 235-5604.

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