Circle K announce Here for Ireland' initiative to support Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls on their road to Toyko 2020

€250,000 worth of digital coins will be shared amongst Team Ireland athletes

‘Here for Ireland’ initiative is an integral element of Circle K’s partnership with the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland

Dublin, 24th October 2019: Circle K, Ireland’s largest forecourt retailer and proud partner of both Irish Olympic and Paralympic Teams, today launches the ‘Here for Ireland’ initiative, which has been developed to support Irish athletes on the road to the Tokyo 2020 Games.

From today, Circle K customers can show their support for our homegrown champions by simply scanning either the Circle K app or their Play or Park loyalty tag in-store. In so doing, they will automatically generate digital coins, which Team Ireland athletes can then use to fuel their journey to Tokyo.

Athletes who sign up to the initiative can use the digital coins to redeem complementary miles fuel at all 410 Circle K service stations, as well as food or refreshments at any of the participating Circle K stores between now and the Tokyo 2020 Games. It is estimated that approximately €250,000 worth of digital coins will be generated over the course of the initiative, all of which will be shared evenly amongst

Team Ireland hopefuls.

Whilst only launching today, 60 Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls from around the country have already signed up to the ‘Here for Ireland’ initiative including, Ellen Keane, Brendan Boyce and Sanita Puspure.

Also showing their support for ‘Here for Ireland’ are the initiative’s official launch ambassadors, Irish athlete and Olympic hopeful, Ciara Mageean; Irish Olympic Champion from the 1992 Summer Games, Michael Carruth; and Circle K’s para athlete ambassadors, Jordan Lee and Nicole Turner.

Speaking at the launch, Ciara Mageean said: "Athletes make many sacrifices – physical, emotional and financial - as they strive to achieve Olympic glory. Circle K’s Here for Ireland initiative will have a hugely positive impact on all Team Ireland athletes as the digital coins generated by Circle K customers will fuel our journey, quite literally, to Tokyo. On behalf of Team Ireland, I’d like to encourage consumers to get involved and show their support by simply scanning the Circle K app or their loyalty tag every time they shop at Circle K."

Commenting on the ‘Here for Ireland’ initiative, Judy Glover, Circle K’s Senior Market Director, said: "Circle K is an extremely proud partner of both the Irish Olympic and Paralympic Teams. As part of the partnership, we wanted to ensure that we positively contributed to each athlete as they strive to achieve Olympic and Paralympic glory and we believe that ‘Here for Ireland’ does just that. Irish consumers can show their support by simply scanning the Circle K app or loyalty tag when they visit a Circle K store, it costs them nothing but the athletes will benefit greatly as an anticipated €250,000 will be raised and distributed amongst the Olympic and Paralympics hopefuls."

The ‘Here for Ireland’ initiative is an integral element of Circle K’s partnership with the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland. Speaking at today’s launch, Peter Sherrard, CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, said: "Here for Ireland is a great initiative, and is something that directly benefits our athletes. Athletes are the heartbeat of the sport, and the support that they will get from Circle K customers will help them as they journey through this crucial period ahead of the Olympic Games next summer."

John Fulham, President of Paralympics Ireland, said: "Circle K has revealed a wonderful programme with ‘Here for Ireland’. This is a programme with a difference as it will benefit every Para Athlete that is on their own journey towards their ultimate Paralympic dreams. Circle K will bring Paralympic and Olympic athletes into every community right across the island of Ireland, I would urge people to support the programme and help make a real, positive impact on the lives of these incredible athlete role models."

To celebrate the launch of ‘Here for Ireland’, Circle K has announced a weekend of activity at its Donnybrook, Dublin 4 forecourt on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd November to coincide with the Ireland v Canada Women’s Olympic hockey qualifier in Energia Park. Supporters travelling to the qualifier can avail of complementary hot beverages when they sign up to Play or Park.

To support Team Ireland, simply scan the Circle K app or a Play or Park loyalty tag in-store. For more information, visit circlek.ie for details and follow Circle K Ireland on Facebook or @circlekireland on Twitter.

#HereForIreland

ENDS

Media Queries:

Niall O’Halloran / Teneo: niall.ohalloran@teneo.com 083 381 0642

Saoirse Whelan / Teneo: saoirse.whelan@teneo.com 087 954 3089

Claire Shannon / Teneo: Claire.Shannon@teneo.com 087 126 0924

Notes to Editors:

About Circle K Ireland

Circle K Ireland, part of the global fuel and convenience store brand Circle K, is the leading fuel and convenience retailer in Ireland. With 2,300 employees, its retail network is made up of 410 service stations across the island of Ireland. Of these stations, 160 are owned by Circle K and 250 are owned by independent retail partners. The company also operates a large commercial fuels business, with over 20 depots and two owned terminals across the country.

About Circle K

Circle K is an international chain of convenience stores, founded in 1951 in El Paso, Texas, United States. It is owned and operated by the Canadian company Couche-Tard.

Circle K employs over 125,000 employees globally and has 15,700 stores in over 20 countries worldwide.

About Olympic Federation Ireland

The Olympic Federation of Ireland is the mandated member of the International Olympic Movement for Ireland. The Olympic Federation of Ireland works to improve the Olympic performance of Irish athletes in each cycle and to inspire the nation through their success as Team Ireland. To do this, we ensure that athletes and the programmes required for their success are foremost in our planning and actions. We provide practical, effective support to add value to our National Federations, and we use the power of sport as a cause for good in Ireland.

To find out more about the Olympic Federation of Ireland log onto www.olympics.ie

About Paralympic Ireland

Paralympics Ireland’s mission is to support Irish Para-Athletes to reach finals and deliver podium places at the Paralympic Games. We will provide support and advice to NGBs in their delivery of a high-performance pathway for athletes with a disability ensuring that the next generation of Irish Paralympians will be amongst the best prepared and most successful Para-Athletes competing in future Paralympic Games. To find out more about Paralympics Ireland log onto https://www.paralympics.ie/

Launch Ambassador Athletes

Ciara Mageean (Athletics): Co. Down’s Ciara Mageean has achieved Olympic qualification standard this year in the 1,500m. The 27-year-old physio’s aim for Tokyo 2020 is to become the first Irish female athlete to qualify for the 1,500m Olympic final.

Jordan Lee (Athletics): 19-year old Jordan Lee won bronze in the 2018 European Para Athletics Championship and is ranked second in the world in the IPC Paralympic World Rankings. Jordan will compete at the World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai in early November.

Nicole Turner (Swimming): 17-year old Olympic hopeful Nicole Turner claimed a bronze in the 50-metre butterfly S6 at the World Para Swimming Championships in London and became Ireland’s first medal recipient at the Championship. Nicole has previous Paralympic Games experience, competing in Rio in 2016 at just 14 years of age.

Michael Carruth (Boxing): Ireland’s first Olympic boxing gold medallist, Michael Carruth, is no stranger to the dedication and sacrifices necessary to become an elite athlete. Now retired from competing, Carruth is still heavily involved in the sport, coaching young boxers.

Kind Regards

Heather Boyle

Athletes’ Commission Support and Public Relations Officer

Olympic Federation of Ireland

Olympic House, Harbour Road, Howth, D13 XK75, Ireland

Mobile: +353 87 337 1954

Tel: +353 1 8660555

Fax: +353 1 8660130

www.olympics.ie

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