07/09/2008

AP Press Release

The Associated Press to feature Dwyane Wade’s video diary of Team USA basketball

NBA star Dwyane Wade will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the U.S. men's Olympic basketball team experience – in video and text – as part of the Associated Press’ multiplatform coverage of the 2008 Beijing Summer Games.

"The AP gives me a great opportunity to share my Olympic experience with fans on various platforms,” Wade said. “I plan to enjoy the Olympics and I hope everyone enjoys reading and watching video about my journey."

In Wade’s first three-minute video, he says, “I’m taking you inside my mind.”

Speaking directly into the camera, he tells of his obligation to be on time for practice, after oversleeping and arriving late for the first team meeting.

He also describes a team photo shoot: “LeBron [James] was joking the whole time. We couldn’t even stand in a straight line.”

The Miami Heat guard adds, “Since the first week of May, I’ve been in the gym five days a week … of training, of rehabbing, of getting my conditioning back, of getting my exposure back … I’m feeling good and I’m ready to go.”

Wade’s diary before, during and after the Games is part of AP’s Summer Games Plus, a premium package of Olympics coverage that is being added by a growing number of web sites, newspapers and other subscribers.

Under AP’s distribution agreement with rights holder NBC, Summer Games Plus will embed NBC video links in AP Olympics stories soon after the events take place.

"The AP will be providing more content from these Olympics, in all formats, than ever before,” said Lou Ferrara, AP managing editor for sports, entertainment and multimedia. “From podcasts in Chinese and English and interactive graphics to our strong tradition of breaking news and stellar photography, we want to provide a diverse array of material, which is why we are delighted to have Dwyane Wade's video diary available."

The AP plans to send more than 300 journalists and other staffers to Beijing.

About The Associated Press

The Associated Press is the essential global news network, delivering fast, unbiased news from every corner of the world to all media platforms and formats. Founded in 1846, AP today is the largest and most trusted source of independent news and information. On any given day, more than half the world’s population sees news from AP.

Contact: Jack Stokes, AP Corporate Communications, 212.621.1720.