1984 Olympian will join 25 runners benefiting from medical technology at Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon events
MINNEAPOLIS - (July 14, 2008) - The Medtronic Foundation and Twin Cities Marathon, Inc., have announced that 1984 U.S. Olympian and marathon great Alberto Salazar will serve as the honorary captain of the 2008 Medtronic Global Heroes and will run in the Medtronic TC 10 Mile. Salazar will lead a group of 25 Global Heroes - long distance runners who benefit from medical technology - who are preparing to run either the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or Medtronic TC 10 Mile on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. Salazar had a Medtronic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implanted following sudden cardiac arrest in 2007.
In its third year, the Medtronic Global Heroes program celebrates the accomplishments of runners who enjoy the benefits of medical devices to treat conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, spinal disorders, chronic pain or neurological disorders, and whose continued passion for running serves as an inspiration to others. Salazar and Medtronic Global Heroes share the same goal - helping runners assisted by medical technology understand that it is possible to continue to run, pursue personal goals and lead full, active lives.
"We are thrilled to have a runner of Alberto Salazar's caliber captaining this year's Global Heroes," said Dr. Stephen Oesterle, senior vice president of medicine and technology at Medtronic. "His continued commitment to the sport serves as an inspiration to runners around the world, and especially to runners diagnosed with chronic medical conditions."
An accomplished runner, Salazar, 49, competed in the 1984 Olympics and won three consecutive New York City Marathons (1980-82) and the 1982 Boston Marathon. He now trains professional U.S. runners as coach of Nike's Oregon Project.
For more information, go to: www.medtronic.com.
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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