For Immediate Release Media Contact:
July 6, 2004 Ron Precht 
847-869-5127 ext.149 

AMTA Supporting Massage at Olympics

Providing Honoraria for Members Giving Massage at Athens Games

Evanston, IL – The American Massage Therapy Association will be providing an honorarium to each of its Professional Active Members who provide massage to athletes at the Olympic Games or the Paralympic Games in Athens, through the Athens Health Services Sports Massage Team 2004 (AHSSMT). Committing up to $10,000 to support the effort, the association will provide each member up to $500, upon their return from Athens.

“We are really happy to support our members who give so much of themselves by providing massage at the Athens Games,” said AMTA President Laurel J. Freeman. “We applaud their continued commitment to the spirit of the Games.”

Several months ago, AHSSMT asked AMTA if it would help provide financial support for AMTA members who volunteer for the Games. AMTA’s Board of Directors wholeheartedly agreed with the idea.

Any AMTA Professional member who works at the games, through AHSSMT, and remains an AMTA member in good standing through September 30, 2004 is eligible for the honorarium. The final amount each will receive will be determined by how many members complete their three-week services through AHSSMT, with each member paid an identical honorarium.

AMTA commends the organizers of AHSSMT for their coordination of massage therapists from the U.S. to provide massage at both the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games - George Kousaleous, Roger Olbret, Anna Gammal, Bryan Buckley, and Stanley Mavrides.

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