AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) knows about superior performance in challenging winter conditions.  So do the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing, whose athletes lead the international ranks through performance and innovation.  Bringing these organizations together through a common drive to succeed is a winning combination.

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Today, Goodyear and the Teams have officially joined up to deliver gold-medal performance on and off the slopes, as the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) announced that Goodyear has been chosen as the "Official Tire" of the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing.  As a result, Team athletes will be able to travel to their training destinations on top performing tires, such as the Goodyear Ultra Grip^® winter tires and Goodyear Assurance tires.

"Like Goodyear, members of the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing are 'More Driven,' continuously striving to be the best in their sport, making this relationship a natural fit for the Goodyear brand and its superior performing tires," said Gary Melliere, General Manager of Sponsorships at Goodyear North America.  "We're looking forward to helping these athletes get to the slopes of America on Goodyear tires as they train to be the Best in the World."

"Winter driving and overcoming tough conditions is something our Teams face every season, and performance is a must for athletic success," said USSA Chief Marketing Officer Michael Jaquet. "Goodyear's commitment to our programs and athletes is a huge step for us and will provide an opportunity to showcase its products through our USSA events and athletes."

The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association is the national governing body of Olympic skiing and snowboarding. It is the parent organization of the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing. Developed to facilitate participation in national and international competition, the Olympic sports organization provides structure for competitive skiing and snowboarding. From grassroots programs to governance of sport, management of rules, competitions and athletic rankings, the USSA oversees athletic pipelines for development in the sports. With a vision to make the USA the best in the world in Olympic skiing and snowboarding, the USSA provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders who share an Olympic dream while maintaining a strong adherence to core values. The USSA, established in 1905, operates out of the national training and education facility, the Center of Excellence, in Park City, Utah.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies.  It employs about 69,000 people and manufactures its products in 53 facilities in 22 countries around the world.  Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry.  For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com.

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company