U.S. Olympic Team Dives In: Hampton Hotels Helps Refurbish U.S. Olympic Training Center Outdoor Training and Recreational Pool.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- After years of serving the hopes and dreams of athletes, the U.S. Olympic Training Center Outdoor Training and Recreational Pool in Colorado Springs, Colo. is finally scoring gold of its own with the help of Hampton Hotels. Hampton has dived into this thousand-gallon effort as part of the Hilton Family overall sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams with $225,000 in pool renovations.

The new pool was unveiled to athletes on Friday, September 29 with an official U.S. Olympic Outdoor Training and Recreational Pool Grand Opening Pool Party.

"America's athletes continue to benefit from the generosity and commitment of the Hampton brand and the Hilton Family of Hotels," said USOC Managing Director of Athlete Facilities and Services, Mike English. "The USOC is committed to providing athletes living and training at its Olympic Training Centers the best possible environment in order to enhance athlete morale and provide the best training possible."

The new pool is already an anticipated hot-spot for athletes. "We're ecstatic about the outdoor pool. Everybody that lives here can't wait to be among the first to dive-in," said Yewki Tomita, a resident gymnastics athlete. "Not only are we excited to have a place to train outside but we're already talking about how the new Hampton Recreational Pool will be the cool place to been seen training and kicking-back in the summertime."

"Hampton is excited to be part of the support system that helps aspiring Olympians excel. We think that it is important for athletes to have a place to relax and rejuvenate during their downtime," said Phil Cordell, senior vice president of Hampton brand management. "This new Outdoor Training and Recreational Pool is the result of the passion and commitment that our company has for helping the Olympic Movement in America flourish."

The Hampton brand's contribution to the project comes as a natural extension of the Hilton Family's continued commitment to and sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. The Hilton Family of Hotels - which includes Hilton, Conrad, Coral by Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Scandic and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection in addition to Hampton Hotels - maintains a longstanding relationship with the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and in January 2005, announced a sponsorship that extends through the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, China.

The U.S. Olympic Training Center Outdoor Training and Recreational Pool will be utilized by more than 2,500 athletes, in addition to coaches and summer camp organizations each summer. The pool is 36 feet wide and 75 feet long and will be deeper than an average in-ground swimming pool so it can be used for recovery swim workouts and special drills and exercises. The new built-to-fit pool will feature both a Hampton Hotels and Hilton Family logo within the liner, reminding athletes that corporate America and companies like Hilton Hotels Corporation and, more specifically the Hampton brand, help support the U.S. Olympic Movement. A terracotta concrete deck and landscaping will surround the pool, making it an inviting place for athletes to relax.

About Hampton Hotels

Hampton, which includes Hampton Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites hotels, is a mid-priced leader in the lodging segment. Hampton is part of Hilton Hotels Corporation, a leading global hospitality company with more than 2,800 hotels and 490,000 rooms in more than 80 countries, including 150,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises a hotel portfolio of some of the best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton([R]), Conrad([R]), Coral by Hilton([R]), Doubletree([R]), Embassy Suites Hotels([R]), Hampton Inn([R]), Hampton Inn & Suites([R]), Hilton Garden Inn([R]), Hilton Grand Vacations([TM]) , Homewood Suites by Hilton([R]), Scandicand The Waldorf=Astoria Collection[TM]. The Hilton Family of Hotels adheres to founder Conrad Hilton's philosophy that, "It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality." The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company: be hospitable[R]. The philosophy is shared by all 10 brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity. Hilton Hotels Corporation's sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic Team will extend through the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, and includes the 2008 U.S. Paralympic Team(s) and the 2007 U.S. Pan-Am Team. For more information about our company, please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com, and to learn more about our be hospitable philosophy, please visit www.behospitable.com.