O.C. Tanner & U.S. Olympic Committee Announce Winners of 2012 Paralympic Inspiration Award

SALT LAKE CITY, UT--(Marketwire - Sep 20, 2012) - U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team ring designer and donor O.C. Tanner announced today the U.S. Paralympic winners of the O.C. Tanner Inspiration Award -- a handcrafted 14k gold ring that commemorates those who have inspired greatness. The following 2012 U.S. Paralympians -- wheelchair rugby player Joe Delagrave, 2008 Paralympic gold medalist in wheelchair basketball Natalie Schneider and four-time Paralympic powerlifter Mary Stack -- will each be awarded the Inspiration ring that they, in turn, will present to their mentors for encouraging and empowering their Paralympic journeys.

Of the 13 total nominations, the winners were determined by public vote on the O.C. Tanner "Appreciate Great Work" Facebook page. Stack, who received the most votes, nominated her coach, Mary Hodge, for teaching her to be independent and encouraging her to pursue her dreams. Delagrave nominated his wife, April, for her inspiring attitude, unconditional love and her faith in Delagrave's ability to achieve his goals. Schneider nominated her father, Dennis Nelson, for showing her that passion for the game of basketball, coupled with a solid work ethic, can allow her to achieve more than she ever thought possible.

"The O.C. Tanner Inspiration Award recognizes the contributions and importance of the team behind the team," said Peter Zeytoonjian, USOC Managing Director of Consumer Products and Licensing. "We congratulate Delagrave, Schneider, Stack and their mentors for their incredible sacrifice, dedication and exceptional teamwork."

The public can continue to view and share the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athlete inspiration stories on the "Appreciate Great Work" Facebook page.

Twittercue: #USParalympic stories are truly inspiring; Read and share their stories: http://on.fb.me/NhWmwY #InspirationAward #TeamUSA @usparalympics

About the USOC
Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., the U.S. Olympic Committee serves as both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States. As such, the USOC is responsible for the training, entering and funding of U.S. teams for the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games, while serving as a steward of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements throughout the country. For more information, visit TeamUSA.org.

About O.C. Tanner
O.C. Tanner is an international appreciation and recognition business based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company helps more than 8,000 clients worldwide appreciate people who do great work. Because celebrating great work inspires people to invent, to create and to discover. And when people are inspired, companies grow.

O.C. Tanner has also been the proud designer, manufacturer and donor of the U.S. Olympic Team rings since the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.