Home Depot Inc.,
citing the tough economic climate, has ended its much-ballyhooed
program that gave Olympic athletes part-time jobs, flexible hours and
full-time pay and benefits to help support their training.
In the 16 years that Home Depot has sponsored the U.S. and Puerto
Rico Olympic and Paralympic teams, it has employed 600 athletes who
have won 145 medals. Home Depot's sponsorship amounted to a $15 million
to $20 million commitment over four years, said one person familiar
with the matter.
