Allyson Felix appointed to President's Council on Physical Fitness, Sports and Nutrition

Three-time world champion sprinter Allyson Felix on Wednesday was one of several luminaries introduced by First Lady Michelle Obama as a member of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. Joining Felix at the event was USATF President Stephanie Hightower.

The Washington, D.C. ceremony was part of a busy week for two-time Olympic 200m silver medalist Felix, who after the event flew to Des Moines to compete in the 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

In conjunction with the First Lady's Let's Move! initiative, this year President Obama has broadened the scope of the Council, formerly known as the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, to include a focus on healthy eating as well as active lifestyles. This week, the President signed an Executive Order outlining the Council's new emphasis on both good nutrition and physical fitness.

The President has named New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Dominique Dawes 2010 Council Co-Chairs. Others appointed by the President to the Council include former NFL great Tedy Bruschi, ice skating legend Michelle Kwan, NBA stars Grant Hill and Chris Paul, women's tennis pioneer Billie Jean King, NASCAR driver Carl Edwards, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation CEO Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, New York restaurateur and local-food advocate Dan Barber, presidential fitness consultant and personal trainer Cornell McClellan, pediatrician Dr. Stephen McDonough, retired MLB player Curtis Pride, fitness instructor Donna Richardson Joyner and healthy-living advocate Ian Smith.

Following the announcement, the First Lady and Council Members joined local kids in participating in a series of activity stations.

"This year we're expanding the work of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition to include not just a focus on active lifestyles, but on healthy eating, too," Mrs. Obama said. "The Council will play an important role in our effort to help combat childhood obesity in this country, and I am grateful to the athletes, chefs, doctors and nutrition experts who are volunteering their time on the Council to help make a difference."

The President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition is a committee of volunteer citizens who advise the President through the Secretary of Health and Human Services about opportunities to develop accessible, affordable and sustainable physical activity, fitness, sports and nutrition programs for all Americans regardless of age, background or ability. The Council's mission is to engage, educate and empower all Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition. For more information about the Council and its members, visit www.fitness.gov.

In addition to its presidential advisory role, the Council promotes and maintains the President's Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards program (President's Challenge) which encourages all Americans to include physical activity - 30 minutes per day for adults and 60 minutes per day for youth - in their daily lives. For more information about the President's Challenge programs, visit www.presidentschallenge.org.

For the full press release on Wednesday's ceremony and complete bios of all members of the President's Council, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/first-lady-launches-president...