HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--World champion snowboarders Amy Purdy and Evan Strong join the athlete ambassador team for The Hartford and will teach snowboarding at The Hartford Ski Spectacular Dec. 2-8 in Breckenridge, Colo.
More than 800 men, women, and children, including Boston Marathon bombing survivors and injured service members, will learn how to ski and snowboard at the nation’s largest winter festival for people with physical disabilities. The Hartford has sponsored the week-long event, organized by Disabled Sports USA, for 20 years.
“The Hartford Ski Spectacular holds a special place in my heart because it’s where my athletic dreams were born,” said Purdy, 34, a double-amputee after a battle with bacterial meningitis. “I am honored to help mentor the Boston Marathon bombing survivors, wounded warriors and other participants. I will encourage them to find their passion and pursue their dreams.”
Purdy and Strong are training to make the U.S. Paralympic Team competing in the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, which will include the discipline of snowboard cross within the alpine competition for the first time.
“It’s been a team effort to have our sport added to the Paralympic Winter Games, and we count The Hartford’s long history of support of Paralympic events and athletes as a major factor,” said Strong, 25, who lost part of his leg as a result of being hit by a car while riding his motorcycle. “Amy and I are looking forward to working with The Hartford to raise awareness about the value of people with disabilities in the workplace, as well as employee benefits that help protect one’s physical and financial well-being.”
In 2003, The Hartford became the Official Disability Insurance Sponsor of U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee dedicated to recruiting and training elite athletes with physical disabilities. Last year, the insurer extended its partnership through 2016.
“As a founding partner of U.S. Paralympics, we’re honored to have Amy and Evan join our team of athlete ambassadors and help others find hope and healing at The Hartford Ski Spectacular,” said Mike Concannon, executive vice president of The Hartford’s Group Benefits business. “The Hartford is proud to partner with Disabled Sports USA for two decades on this incredible event that has become a birthplace of champions.”
Follow the action at The Hartford Ski Spectacular by using the hashtag #SkiSpec and look for updates on The Hartford’s Twitter and Facebook pages, as well as YouTube channel.
About The Hartford
With more than 200 years of expertise, The Hartford (NYSE:HIG) is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds. The company is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at www.thehartford.com. Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheHartford. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheHartford.
The Hartford® is The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including issuing companies Hartford Life Insurance Company and Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company. Policies sold in New York are underwritten by Hartford Life Insurance Company. The headquarters of both companies is Simsbury, Conn.
HIG-M
Some of the statements in this release may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution investors that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially. Investors should consider the important risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ. These important risks and uncertainties include those discussed in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update this release, which speaks as of the date issued.
From time to time, The Hartford may use its website to disseminate material company information. Financial and other important information regarding The Hartford is routinely accessible through and posted on our website at http://ir.thehartford.com. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about The Hartford when you enroll your email address by visiting the “Email Alerts” section at http://ir.thehartford.com.
