By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Sports Editor

The Home Depot has established a job opportunities program, where athletes in training for the Olympics are provided with steady jobs.

The security of the paycheck is afforded the athletes, who also get time off to train for the Olympics. Currently, Home Depot has 74 athletes employed. Fifty-three of those are vying for positions on the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team and an additional seven are hoping to make the 2000 Canadian Olympic Team. The remaining 14 members are contending for spots on the winter sports teams.

One of the Olympic hopefuls is Ebo Elder of Newnan. Elder is hoping to make a spot on the U.S. Olympic boxing team. He is the nation's second ranked welterweight boxer. “It's a huge weight off my shoulders knowing that Home Depot is behind me 100 percent,” said Elder. “I'm able to work around my training and competition schedule but my income remains steady.” Elder works at The Home Depot in Newnan in the lumber department.

Since 1994, The Home Depot has helped more than 130 athletes pursue their dreams. In the lead up to the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, The Home Depot employed more than 100 athletes. To date, 54 Home Depot athletes have competed in the Olympic Games, earning six gold, three silver and seven bronze medals.

“Much of our strength comes from the employees who work at The Home Depot,” said Dick Hammill, senior vice president of marketing and communications. “We strive to employ people who understand dedication, hard work and commitment, so it should be no surprise that we would want America's finest athletes serving our customers.”

The Home Depot was founded in 1978 in Atlanta and has supported the Olympic Movement since 1992. The company sponsors both the U.S. and Canadian Olympic teams as well as their Winter Olympic hopefuls and the Puerto Rican Olympic team. Currently, they employ eight Georgia athletes with Olympic dreams.

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