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- Arment Dietrich, Inc. Morgan Smith (312) 787-7249 msmith@armentdietrich.com or GE Capital Solutions, Franchise Finance, Scottsdale Christine Roe (480) 563-6260 christine.roe@ge.com GE Capital Solutions, Franchise Finance teams with Special Olympics Arizona and Olympic gold medalist Amy Van Dyken to sponsor the first-of-its-kind unified triathlon and sprint triathlon at the DC Ranch Village Health Club on Aug. 16, 2008.

The

event celebrates a longstanding relationship between GE Capital Solutions, Franchise Finance and Special Olympics Arizona to sponsor athletic competition.

"GE Capital Solutions, Franchise Finance strives to improve the communities where we live and work," says Todd V. Jones, associate general counsel, GE Capital Solutions, Franchise Finance. "Special Olympics Arizona is a great organization and sponsoring their debut triathlons is an excellent way to celebrate the spirit and abilities of these inspiring individuals."

The sprint triathlon is an individual or team race and consists of a 300 yard swim, 20K bike ride, and 5K run. The unified triathlon of Special Olympics Arizona gives beginner and experienced triathletes the opportunity to compete. It is a mixed team race of Special Olympics athletes and unified partners and consists of a 50 yard swim, 2.5 mile bike ride, and a half mile run.

The Special Olympics Arizona Triathlon will be emceed by Amy Van Dyken, a former member of the United States swim team and six-time Olympic gold medalist. To help athletes prepare for the triathlon, Amy will host swim clinics prior to the event offering coaching and advice to the first 100 registrants for the sprint triathlon.

"Physical activity is a great way to promote the importance of fitness and a healthful lifestyle," says Lana Walton, community relations coordinator, Special Olympics Arizona. "Getting people of all ages involved in sports helps fight obesity, establishes self-confidence, and builds interpersonal skills."

Special Olympics Arizona is part of an international organization, the world's leading program of sports training and athletic competition, for people with intellectual disabilities, and boasts a 33-year track record of creating positive attitudes towards its athletes worldwide, and a commitment to athlete empowerment, dignity and leadership. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for more than 9,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Arizona, SOAZ has created a model community that celebrates people's diverse gifts. There is no cost for our athletes to participate. Visit Special Olympics Arizona at www.soaz.org.

GE Capital Solutions, Franchise Finance is a leading lender serving customers in the restaurant, hospitality, and branded beverage industries. It provides financing to help franchisees and franchisors grow, compete, and prosper. It offers access to capital with a diverse array of flexible financing options, including funds for purchasing real estate or equipment, new construction or remodels, acquisitions, or refinancing.

About GE Capital Solutions, Franchise Finance

GE Capital Solutions, Franchise Finance is a leading lender for the franchise finance market via direct sales and portfolio acquisition. With more than 30 years of experience and $13 billion in served assets, we serve more than 5,000 customers and more than 22,000 property locations, primarily in the restaurant, hospitality, and branded beverage industries. We offer customers access to capital with a menu of products featuring flexible structuring, including financing for acquisitions, refinancing, construction of new units, and remodels for single- and multi-unit operators/chains. More information is available at www.gefranchisefinance.com or by calling toll-free 866-GET-GEFF (438-4333).

GE Capital Solutions provides leasing, lending, and capital investment products and services to help business customers grow. It has more than $100 billion in assets, serves more than a million clients around the world, and is headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut, USA. For more on GE Capital Solutions, go to www.ge.com/capitalsolutions.

GE (NYSE: GE) is Imagination at Work -- a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.

¶ National Competitive Debut with Olympic Gold Medalist Amy Van
Dyken at DC Ranch Village Health Club Aug. 16, 2008