BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gillette, a P&G brand, today introduced a team of 24 world-class athletes from 18 countries that will represent the world’s leading male grooming brand at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The athletes include Roger Federer of Switzerland, Ryan Lochte of the United States, Lin Dan of China, Emmanuel Ginobili of Argentina and Sir Chris Hoy of Great Britain. Each of these athletes will participate in activities to help inspire and encourage future generations to achieve greatness through great starts in athletics – and in life.

The Gillette campaign will be the first program launched as part of P&G’s far-reaching 10 year partnership with the Olympic Movement. “We think Gillette’s program is the perfect start to P&G’s Olympic Games Program,” said Marc Pritchard, P&G Global Marketing & Brand Building Officer. “Between them, these athletes have earned 18 world records and 55 world championships and they embody the commitment to excellence that inspires us as a company.”

The selected athletes exemplify Gillette’s conviction that in athletics, and in life, a great start can make all the difference. The key to success in many sports can be linked to proper preparation and an athlete’s action in the first milliseconds, not necessarily the final moments of the contest. Gillette hopes to inspire future generations of Olympians by telling powerful, personal stories that illustrate the importance of a great start from the athletes’ perspective. The campaign will also reinforce Gillette’s role in helping more than 800 million men around the world begin their day with a close, comfortable shave, a key part of their grooming ritual that helps them give them a great start to their day so they can look, feel and be their best.

Research shows that early inspiration and support through coaches, local clubs and community centers can help fuel a child’s success in life.* Gillette and the athletes will recognize an organization that gave him a great start and make a contribution or participate in a series of activities ranging from coaching, training sessions and workshops at their local organizations leading up to and immediately after The Olympics to help give future generation of Olympic hopefuls a similar opportunity.

“I have seen firsthand how a program with early involvement positively impacts a young person’s life,” said Gillette athlete Roger Federer. “The athletes working with Gillette have a great opportunity to inspire young athletes to greatness.”

“The Gillette ambassadors exemplify the importance of a great start in life and in their athletic events,” said Patrice Louvet, P&G president of global grooming and shave care. “We are pleased to welcome this outstanding team of athletes to the Gillette family. Together, we hope to make a real difference in the lives of young athletes around the world.”

The following athletes from around the world are united with Gillette in this effort:

P&G’s global partnership with the IOC in support of the Olympic Movement reaches through the next five Olympic Games from London 2012 through the 2020 Olympic Games.

In addition to Gillette’s sponsorship of these elite athletes, P&G is supporting the person who has made it possible for them to realize their Olympic dreams: mom. As the Proud Sponsor of Moms, P&G helps moms every day with brands that make life a little easier. As part of the London 2012 Olympic Games, P&G’s ‘Thank You, Mom’ campaign will help improve everyday life for more than one million moms around the world with a commitment to raise $5 million to support youth sport. P&G will also help thousands of moms of Olympians experience The Olympics with their children by providing services and event tickets in London.

*Harris Survey of Boys & Girls Club Alumni, interviews were conducted from Nov. 15, 2006 through March 16, 2007

About Gillette’s Sports Heritage

In the early 1900s, Gillette had the vision to see the value in connecting the brand with top-tier sports and athletes. This was a key strategy that helped the company grow into the world leader in the male shaving category. Gillette was welcomed into many U.S. homes through the historic televised broadcasts of the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports. Throughout the years, Gillette added signature events in the U.S. including championship boxing matches, college football Bowl games, Major League Baseball, PGA Tour® and the Kentucky Derby. Gillette sponsored international events including FIFA World Cup, Rugby, the Gillette Cup in Cricket and Formula One. In 2002, Gillette announced an agreement for the exclusive naming rights to the home stadium of the three-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots of the National Football League. Throughout the mid 2000s, the brand continued innovative marketing programs with international sports stars throughout the world. Today, Gillette continues its sports heritage tradition with sports marketing programs implemented in many regions throughout the world.

About Procter & Gamble

P&G touches and improves the lives of about 4.4 billion people around the world with its portfolio of trusted, quality brands. The Company's leadership brands include Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R), Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Mach3(R), Bounty(R), Dawn(R), Fairy(R), Gain(R), Pringles(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Oral-B(R), Duracell(R), Olay(R), Head & Shoulders(R), Wella(R), Gillette(R), Braun(R), Fusion(R), Ace(R), Febreze(R), and Ambi Pur(R). With operations in about 80 countries, P&G brands are available in more than 180 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

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