Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield are to sponsor the Eon IBU Biathlon World Cup events at Presque Island and Fort Kent in Maine, USA.
The health insurer will act as the major sponsor for the seventh and eighth stages of this year's competition, the only two to be held in North America. In addition, the company will work with Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC), who operate the two sites and also promote winter sports among the community in Maine as a way of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Dan Corcoran, the Maine president and general manager of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, said: "As the state's largest health insurer and major local employer, we strongly view this sponsorship as a healthy investment in Maine. In addition to providing a venue for world class athletes at the very top of their sport, the World Cup events represent a real economic boost for Aroostook County."
MWSC president and chief executive Andy Shepard added: "These two events will draw the attention of 120 million TV viewers to northern Maine. This creates a unique opportunity for us to attract new visitors to the region."
State Governor Paul LePage described hosting the event as "a real feather in Maine's cap", saying: "Not only does it serve to bring a prestigious athletic event to our state, it also promotes the broad range of winter activities the county has to offer."
World Cup 7 of the 2011 Eon IBU Biathlon World Cup will be held at Presque Isle's Nordic Heritage Center from 3rd to 6th February, with World Cup 8 at the 10th Mountain Center in Fort Kent from 10th to 13th February.
Eon IBU Biathlon World Cup – Anthem
