Rick Hansen – Man In Motion – To Receive 2003 IDEA Fitness Inspiration Award

San Diego – Injured in an automobile accident that left him a paraplegic at age 15, Rick Hansen saw his physical situation as a challenge to overcome. Through perseverance and intensive rehabilitation, he continued his studies and graduated from high school. Rick then refocused his athletic abilities to master wheelchair sports and won 19 international wheelchair marathons, including three world championships, and competed for Canada in the 1984 Olympics. He also became the first student with a physical disability to graduate in Physical Education from the University of British Columbia.

In 1985, with a desire to make a difference in how people with a disability are perceived, Rick embarked on his record setting Man in Motion World Tour and accomplished what many thought was an impossible goal: he became the first and only person to wheel the circumference of the globe in a wheelchair, travelling over 29,000 miles, through 34 countries on four continents.

Today at age 46, Rick Hansen is the President and CEO of the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation, an organization with a mission to accelerate improvements in the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries. Since 1987, the Vancouver, British Columbia-based Foundation has been a leader in the field of spinal cord injury by raising millions of dollars for research, public awareness and rehabilitation. In the spirit of that legendary Tour, the Foundation is launching its signature awareness and fundraising event, Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion on Saturday, June 14th for spinal cord injury.

In recognition of his courage, vision and the inspiration he gives to others, Rick Hansen will be presented with the 2003 IDEA Fitness Inspiration Award. This award recognizes individuals who have overcome great physical adversity and gone on to include fitness in their lives while providing inspiration to others. This award – along with four other awards recognizing outstanding fitness professionals – will be given at an awards ceremony in Anaheim, California on July 17, 2003 during the IDEA World Fitness & Personal Trainer Convention®. Propel Fitness Water® is the Presenting Sponsor of the IDEA Health & Fitness Awards.

The IDEA World Fitness & Personal Trainer Convention is the premier educational event for health and fitness professionals and attracts over 4,000 participants from more than 60 countries. The IDEA World Fitness & Personal Trainer Convention, to be held in Anaheim, California, July 17 –20, 2003, is designed for health and fitness professionals such as personal fitness trainers, fitness facility managers and owners, group exercise leaders, and allied health professionals. Sessions, workshops and workouts will feature in-depth health and fitness educational opportunities with a focus on applied techniques and programming. IDEA’s Senior Partners are Kashi®, Nautilus Health & Fitness Group® and STOTT PILATES™.

IDEA is the world's leading membership organization of health and fitness professionals with more than 23,000 members in over 80 countries. Since 1982, IDEA has provided health and fitness professionals with pertinent information, educational opportunities, career development programs and industry leadership while helping them enhance the quality of life worldwide through safe, effective fitness and healthy lifestyle programs. For more information on IDEA events, publications, educational products, member services or other activities, visit the IDEA website at: www.IDEAfit.com.

MEMBERS OF THE NEWS MEDIA: To receive a brochure and schedule of events for the IDEA World Fitness & Personal Trainer Convention, or to receive a registration form for a complimentary press pass, contact David Gilroy at: (858) 535-8979, ext. 262, or e-mail: gilroyd@IDEAfit.com