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U.S. Olympic Training Center; Will Optimize the Sleep Environment |
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Oct. 6, 2005 -- Hilton Hotels Corporation,
an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, is combining its renowned
hospitality expertise with the power of science to give U.S. Olympians
a competitive edge in the upcoming Olympic Winter Games.
Working with Dr. Mark Rosekind, a former NASA scientist and president of Alertness Solutions, Hilton will modify 160 resident athlete dorm rooms at the Colorado Springs U.S. Olympic Training Center to help increase the athletes' alertness and reaction time for peak performance. "Sleep is so important and so basic that it could make the difference between winning the gold or the silver at the Olympic Games," said Dr. Rosekind, who was awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for his work with pilots and astronauts on combating fatigue. "The proper amount of sleep can boost an athlete's performance as much as 30 percent." Based on recommendations from Dr. Rosekind, the "Hilton Competitive
Advantage Program" will optimize the sleep environment for U.S. Olympic
athletes by incorporating a number of critical elements including enhanced
bed size and bedding, a usable work area and an effective wake-up mechanism.
Dr. Mark Rosekind, former NASA Scientist and renowned sleep expert, provides recommendations to Hilton Hotels for renovating the resident athlete dorm rooms at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center. (Photo: Business Wire) . Like all Hilton guest rooms, the newly designed dorm rooms will offer
a blend of technology with the latest in sleep research and the comforts
of home. The most important ingredient of the remodel will be the replacement
of the facility's standard twin beds with a complete bedding system designed
exclusively for Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, and Homewood
Suites by Hilton, including a plush-top mattress to reduce tossing and
turning and to improve circulation while sleeping.
After living on complex at the U.S. Olympic Training Center for eight years, Apolo Ohno received the first "Hilton Competitive Advantage Room." Hilton Hotels will modify 160 resident athlete dorm rooms at the training center this month to increase the athletes' alertness and reaction time for peak performance at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games. (Photo: Business Wire) . "When competing at the Olympic level, even the smallest of details can directly impact an athlete's performance, and sleep is one of the most critical factors," said Steve Roush, chief of sport performance for the U.S. Olympic Committee. "Partnering with Hilton to create an enhanced sleep environment in the training facility dorms demonstrates our commitment to provide Team USA the top resources and support as they prepare to contend for gold." Other room enhancements include sensory changes involving temperature, lighting and visual stimuli. However, at the request of the USOC's Sport Performance Team, the complete details are not being revealed to prevent competing countries from gaining the same competitive edge as the U.S. athletes. "At all of our hotels, we have long understood the correlation between
a modern, comfortable sleep environment and improved performance for the
business and leisure traveler," said Jeffrey Diskin, senior vice president
of Hilton Hotels Corporation. "We remain committed to creating an optimal
sleep experience for our hotel guests and now we are proud to extend our
expertise to the U.S. Olympic Team."
"Familiar surroundings during training and competition are essential," noted Dr. Rosekind. "For an athlete, two hours less sleep than needed is the same as having a blood alcohol level of .05 when it comes to the effect on performance." The Competitive Advantage Program is just one way the Hilton Family of Hotels is dedicated to the success of the U.S. Olympic Team. In addition, Hampton Hotels is providing the Colorado Springs U.S. Olympic Training Center with overall enhancements including new six-setting shower heads, curved rods and curtains, as well as inventory of large, thick terry towels and washcloths. The Hilton Family sponsorship will continue through the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and will also include sponsorship of the U.S. Team at the 2007 Pan American Games. About the Hilton Family of Hotels
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Contact:
HHC Brand Communications
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