Mizuno Chronicles "The Journey" for USA Volleyball's elite leading up to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games

Mizuno USA, a leader in volleyball equipment, footwear, and apparel, has launched an interactive Facebook platform to showcase the 2012 USA Men’s and Women’s National Volleyball Team experiences as they prepare and ultimately travel to London for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Through first-person video diaries from elite USAV men’s team members Ryan Millar and Brian Thornton, and USAV women’s team members Alisha Glass and Jordan Larson, Mizuno will provide a unique portal for volleyball enthusiasts to follow the "Journey" of USAV and these athletes, as they embark upon the most important challenge of their athletic career.

For the world’s top Olympic hopefuls, the path to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London began many years prior, when they first experienced the intense competitive drive and tight-knit camaraderie that comes with playing organized, competitive team volleyball. For every one of USA Volleyball’s elite male and female athletes, this year’s journey to the Olympic Games in London represents the pinnacle of a life-long dream and the result of hours upon hours of hard work and personal sacrifice.

But for thousands of aspiring young volleyball players across the country, the journey is just beginning. It’s for this reason that Mizuno is asking young volleyball players to submit video diaries, photographs and essays, showcasing their own personal journeys and elaborating on how competitive volleyball has affected their lives and made them better, stronger individuals. Video submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges, and winners will be selected on a monthly basis to win prizes including Mizuno Volleyball footwear, apparel and accessories, as well as the grand prize of a volleyball clinic given to the grand prize winner’s team in their hometown, conducted by a USA Volleyball team member.

"Volleyball has affected my life in so many profound ways, from building confidence and teaching me to overcome challenges, to forging the lifelong friendships and relationships that mean the most to me," said Larson. "Now all those years of sacrifice, hard work, friendships and life lessons are culminating in our most defining challenge at the Olympic Games, and it’s pretty amazing that Mizuno is providing us the means of sharing that with all of the young volleyball players who are on their own personal journeys."

"We are very excited to launch ‘The Journey’, and to showcase our longstanding partnership with USAV," said Dick Grapenthin, Vice President and General Manager for Diamond Sports, Mizuno USA. "With both the Men’s and Women’s National Teams winning medals at the 2008 Beijing Games, their experience leading up to and in London will capture extremely compelling content that we are excited to bring to volleyball fans everywhere."

Mizuno’s support of national teams extends far beyond Olympic competition all the way to the junior ranks. Mizuno remains dedicated to developing technologies like DryLite™ technology in apparel, and award winning Mizuno Wave® technology in footwear, which enhances performance and helps players of all ages perform at their very best.

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These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.

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