U.S. Olympic Committee and Allstate name James L. Easton recipient of Olive Branch Achievement Award

July 16, 2012 - PRLog -- The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and Allstate Insurance Company announced James L. Easton as the recipient of the Olive Branch Achievement Award, an international-themed award created by the USOC and inspired by Allstate Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Wilson. Easton was honored during the 2012 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, held at Harris Theater in Chicago on July 12.

The Olive Branch Achievement Award honors an individual who best represents the international ideals of the Olympic Movement by working to build a peaceful and better world through sport.

"The Olympic Games unify the entire world through sport, competition and pride," said Lisa Cochrane, senior vice president of marketing for Allstate Insurance Company. "James L. Easton's dedication to and spirit for the Olympic Movement embodies all of this, and Allstate is proud to bestow this honor upon him and thank him for his contributions to the movement."

Easton's lifetime of dedication to advancing the Olympic and Paralympic Movements includes serving as a member of the International Olympic Committee, as a USOC board member and as honorary president of the International Archery Foundation.

"This award from the USOC was unexpected and I appreciate the honor," said Easton. "I have always been proud to represent the U.S. in my various international roles. I have some very good friends in the international sports community and share this honor with them.

"It is an honor to recognize Jim Easton with the Olive Branch Achievement Award for his contributions to the growth of Olympic and Paralympic Movements in the United States." said Scott Blackmun, USOC chief executive officer. "Jim is has been a friend to the USOC for many years and has given much in support of the aspirations of our Olympians and Paralympians. He is a true sportsman at heart and his love of sport shows in all that he does."

Easton was honored among members of the Class of 2012, which includes: Gail Devers (track & field), Jean Driscoll (Paralympic track & field), Gary Hall, Jr. (swimming), Lisa Fernandez (softball), Kristine Lilly (soccer), Dan O'Brien (track & field), Jenny Thompson (swimming), the 2004 U.S. Olympic Softball Team, Ed Temple (coach – track & field), James Connolly (veteran – track & field) and Sen. Ted Stevens (special contributor).

The broadcast of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony presented by Allstate, hosted by Jimmy Roberts and Alex Flanagan, will be broadcasted on NBC Sports Network on Thursday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. ET.

About the USOC
Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., the U.S. Olympic Committee serves as both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States. As such, the USOC is responsible for the training, entering and funding of U.S. teams for the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games, while serving as a steward of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements throughout the country. For more information, visit TeamUSA.org.

About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation  is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, serving approximately 16 million households through its Allstate, Encompass, Esurance and Answer Financial brand names. Widely known by its slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®," Allstate offers insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. As part of Allstate's commitment to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $28 million in 2011 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.