INDIANAPOLIS – USA Track & Field and BP America Inc. announced today that BP will be the official Oil/Gas/Energy sponsor for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon, to be held in Houston on January 14, 2012.

The men’s and women’s Olympic Trials Marathon races will determine the three men and three women who will represent the United States in the marathon at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Approximately 300 runners are expected to compete in Houston.

BP, with U.S. headquarters in Houston, will also sponsor the 2012, 2014 and 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams, as well as the 2015 U.S. Pan American and Parapan American Teams.

”We are pleased to welcome BP’s support of what will be an outstanding and historic Olympic Trials in Houston,” USATF Interim CEO Mike McNees said.
“We appreciate BP’s corporate support and volunteer support, as well as their willingness to promote the Olympic spirit in their community activities.”

“Our employee volunteers are looking forward to supporting the athletes competing in the marathon trials, and we are proud to be a sponsor for this fast-paced event in Houston,” said Steve Williams, head of US Olympic & Paralympic Programs for BP America.  “We also intend to help spread the excitement of the Olympics within communities along the Gulf Coast to build further support for these athletes.”

In addition to financial support for the Olympic Trials Marathon, BP’s sponsorship will feature community programs with Olympic Trials Marathon contenders and legendary athletes. The partnership will also see Houston area BP employees taking part in the Olympic Trials via volunteer support initiatives.

BP employees are active in the Houston area with about 30,000 volunteer hours in 2010, participating in signature events such as the BP MS150 with a 750-employee team, and as a Heritage Partner of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where a total of 900 volunteers support these education fundraising events.

About BP
BP is one of the world's largest energy companies. In the US, BP has approximately $52 billion in assets and employs some 23,000 staff. The company's main businesses are exploration and production of oil and gas; refining, manufacturing and marketing of oil products and petrochemicals; transportation and marketing of natural gas. With a growing business in wind power, advanced biofuels and one of the largest solar farms on the east coast, BP Alternative Energy will have invested around $7 billion in energy development, including $4 billion in the US by the end of 2011. Our commitment is helping to create a secure and sustainable energy future for us all.