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Zondervan Signs Three Book Deal with Olympic Gold Medalist Sanya Richards-Ross 
Track Superstar to Write Inspirational Memoir on Winning Gold On and Off the Track

Contacts:

Robin Barnett, Zondervan, 616-698-3251, robin.barnett@harpercollins. com

Liane Worthington, Zonderkidz, 616-698-3345, liane.worthington@ harpercollins.com 

Grand Rapids, Mich., Sept. 26, 2016 — Zondervan will publish three books by five-time Olympic medalist Sanya Richards-Ross, including an inspirational memoir set for release in July 2017. Richards-Ross will share her life story growing up in Jamaica and her rise to track superstardom.

She will detail how she conquered the half mile to become the most-decorated female American Track & Field Olympian of all time and how she applies the same principles to her life as an entrepreneur, entertainer and humanitarian.  She is passionate about sharing her story to encourage readers to pursue fulfillment in their own lives. Richards-Ross is represented by Creative Artists Agency.

Richards-Ross won gold at the 2012 London Games after an unexpected loss at the Beijing Games in 2008. After training to win gold at the Rio Games, she dramatically pulled her hamstring during the Olympic Trials and announced her retirement. She joined the NBC team in Rio as a track analyst and on-air correspondent.

“I wrote my story because I have become acutely aware that this journey is so much bigger than track,” writes Richards-Ross. “Every lesson I learned was not just for me to become a better runner; they were intended to make me a better person, and I couldn’t afford to miss out on that opportunity. I now see that every victory and every loss only clarifies God’s lens and produces a life captured in a perfect photo finish.”

“After hearing Sanya share, we knew this was a story we wanted to tell,” said Carolyn McCready, Executive Editor.” She is a dedicated runner and applies that same dedication and commitment to her life outside of running. But more importantly, Sanya is committed to using her story, full of life-changing wins and crippling defeats, to inspire readers to believe all things are possible.”

“As a passionate runner myself,” said Tom Dean, Vice President of Marketing, Zondervan Trade Books, “I’m especially excited to work closely with Sanya to promote the book to readers who will love her personal testimony and stories from years of running. She is a high caliber athlete and individual; her lessons learned on and off the track will be inspiring and challenging for her fans.”

Richards-Ross will also write a book for ages 8-12 that releases in August 2017. This book shares stories of her incredible running career as well as key messages of faith, focus and following your dreams. Zondervan plans to release a young adult nonfiction book in 2018. This title will offer advice to teens based on Richards-Ross’s personal story, focusing especially on achieving your goals, standing out from the crowd and owning your identity.

“Sanya Richards-Ross’ story is one of hope and inspiration,” said Annette Bourland, Senior Vice President and Group Publisher at Zondervan. “We are excited to work with Sanya and publish her middle-grade and teen books that will relay her message of strength and faith.”

About Sanya Richards-Ross

Sanya Richards-Ross is the fastest American woman in history in the 400m. Surging past her competitors in the last 50 meters of the London 2012 race, Richards-Ross dramatically claimed her title as the world’s best in the quarter mile. London also provided the stage for Richards-Ross to become one of the most decorated female track and field athletes in Olympic history. Anchoring the 4x400 meter relay team to its third-consecutive gold medal, she won her fourth gold medal of her Olympic career.

Off the track, Richards-Ross is an entrepreneur, TV personality, public speaker and humanitarian. She created her foundation, The Gold Standard, to raise awareness and provide financial relief for Olympic hopefuls whose Olympic dreams are limited by the cost of pursuing that goal. She is also the founder of the Sanya Richards-Ross Fast Track Program which has provided hundreds of children in Kingston, Jamaica with literacy training, physical education and healthy meals. She executes sports clinics across the United States to educate and empower youth with tools to excel both on and off the track, and also recently launched an initiative in Central Texas to provide high school girls with leadership training. At the conclusion of the Girl Empowerment program, the high-achievers receive a full makeover to attend their high school proms in style and confidence. 

Zondervan is a world leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications.  Zondervan, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Mich.  For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

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