July 12, 2000 

OAS Welcomes International Trekkers on Humanitarian/Environmental Expedition

            The Organization of American States (OAS) will welcome cyclists from around the world as they arrive in Washington, D.C., on Monday, July 17, as part of a first-ever 20,000-mile trek from the North to the South Poles. 

 Pole to Pole 2000 is an international team of 8 young adventurers, hailing from Argentina, Canada, the United States, South Korea, France, England, Japan and South Africa, who began their journey at the North Pole and are continuing their mission to support environmental and humanitarian causes throughout the Hemisphere. Having skied from the North Pole, they are now cycling across Canada and into the United States. After their visit to Washington they will continue on through Mexico, Central America and South America until they reach the South Pole on January 1, 2001.  

During their visit to Washington, the team will cycle from Canada�s OAS Mission to the Argentine Mission, symbolizing their tour from one end of the Hemisphere to the other. They will meet with the Ambassadors of these delegations to discuss their programs in the member states. They will then cycle back to the OAS Main Building on Constitution Avenue for a farewell ceremony in the Hall of the Americas. The team will be led through the streets of Washington by a group of OAS staff members who are expert cyclists themselves. 

            This project is a unique journey with a powerful message about exploring human potential. The team will travel by ski, foot, canoe, kayak and bicycle relay over 22,000 miles through some of the most difficult terrain on the planet. The team�s message of exploring human potential extends beyond adventure, teamwork and personal success. Their message is about changing the world one step at a time, by taking direct action for a healthier environment and helping others. As they travel, the team will lend a hand to a variety of local initiatives that address environmental and humanitarian issues: cleaning up a salmon river in British Columbia; helping the homeless in New York; and working with the poor in Nicaragua, among others.   

Pole to Pole 2000 is organized by renowned explorer Martyn Williams, the first person to lead expeditions to the three extremes: Mount Everest, the North Pole, and the South Pole.  

For more information on Pole to Pole 2000, you may visit their website at: http://www.pole2pole2000.com  

Washington Schedule of Pole to Pole 2000

Monday, July 17

10:00am            Arrive OAS Building, 17th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW
                        Accompanied by OAS staff, trekkers to travel by bicycle to
                        Canadian Embassy and Permanent Mission of Canada to the OAS, 
                        501Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
                        Greeted by Canada's OAS Ambassador, Peter Boehm

10:30am            Depart Canadian Embassy
                        Travel by bicycle to Argentina's OAS Mission

11:00 am           Arrive Argentina's OAS mission, 1816 Corcoran Street, NW
                        Greeted by Argentina's OAS Ambassador, Juan Jos� Arcuri
                        (Republic of Argentina is the team's last stop before its
                        destination, the South Pole)

11:30 am           Depart Argentina's Mission to the OAS
                        Travel by bicycle to OAS Building, 
                        17th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW

11:45 pm           Arrive OAS Building, 17^th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW
                        Greeted by OAS Chief of Staff, Fernando Jaramillo and escorted to
                        the Hall of the Americas for a farewell ceremony where they will share their
                        experiences and answer questions from the audience.

                        (media availability)

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