Safari Club International is proud to support two of the U.S.A.'s most successful women shooters, Kim Rhode and Corey Cogdell, during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. The two will serve as international ambassadors representing SCI throughout their Olympic performances, among other competitions.

"By working with Safari Club International, the mission of conservation and advocacy become an important part of reaching out to people interested in my sport. As I head to the Olympic Games and other shooting competitions, we can get the message out to millions of people that Safari Club International is the leading organization in the fight to protect hunting and shooting," said Rhode.

"I am excited to represent Safari Club International and their mission. The traditions of hunting and shooting must be preserved. Without organizations like Safari Club International, future generations will not have the opportunities Kim and I have been fortunate to experience," said Cogdell.

Kim Rhode is a life member of Safari Club International and supporter of the conservation and advocacy programs Safari Club International promotes. Ms. Rhode has won an Olympic medal in each of the last four Olympics Games, beginning in Atlanta in 1996 where she won her first gold medal. She is the most decorated shotgun shooter in history. With another medal opportunity at the London Games, she will become the first American athlete to have won five medals in an individual sport in five consecutive Olympic Games. Kim Rhode will compete in both international skeet and bunker trap events. Having competed in double trap in previous Olympic Games, she will be the only woman in shooting history to have ever competed in all three shotgun events in the Olympic Games.

Corey Cogdell is the only U.S. woman to ever win an Olympic medal in Women's International Trap. Corey made the National Development Team in 2006 at Fall Selection when she placed first in the Junior Women's Trap competition. She then captured the bronze at the 2007 Pan American Games. Ms. Cogdell earned her a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team through the Olympic selection matches held in September of 2007 and March 2008. In August of 2008, Corey Cogdell won the bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

"We could not be happier than to have these two Olympians as representatives of Safari Club International. Their ability to promote the organization's advocacy and hunting heritage programs to millions of people worldwide is truly a gift for Safari Club International," said John Whipple, President of Safari Club International. "Every member will watch with pride as the two compete in London and at other competitions around the world wearing the Safari Club International logo."

The 2012 Summer Olympics will be held in London July 26 through August 6, 2012, with the shooting sport competition to be held at the Royal Artillery Barracks beginning July 28. Safari Club International's support builds upon years of involvement with both Kim Rhode and Corey Cogdell's careers. Safari Club International sponsored the World Cup event earlier this year at the Tucson Trap and Skeet Club held March 21- April 1, 2012.

Contact: Nelson Freeman, Media@safariclub.org

About the SCI Hunters' Defense Fund:
Safari Club International Hunters' Defense Fund supports the important advocacy, conservation and legal work keeping hunters afield and promoting hunting worldwide. Donations to the Hunters' Defense Fund have a direct impact on our freedom to hunt, wildlife conservation policy and important legislative, regulatory and legal issues. DONATE NOW www.hunterdefensefund.org

Becoming an SCI Member:
Joining Safari Club International is the best way to be an advocate for continuing our hunting heritage and supporting worldwide sustainable use conservation, wildlife education and humanitarian services. JOIN NOW: www.safariclub.org/Join.

Safari Club International - First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI's approximately 200 Chapters represent all 50 of the United States as well as 106 other countries. SCI's proactive leadership in a host of cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs, with the SCI Foundation and other conservation groups, research institutions and government agencies, empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife management and conservation. Visit the home pag www.safariclub.org or call (520) 620-1220 for more information.