BOA Partners with Travel, Ticketing Agency -- NOCs News

(ATR) The British Olympic Association is teaming up with Sports Travel and Hospitality Group (STH) to provide fans of Team Great Britain with "unrivaled access" to their Olympic and Paralympic heroes.

The official launch of the partnership will take place in mid-2017 ahead of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. The partnership, dubbed Team GB Live, will provide fans with new ways to engage with Team GB athletes, official travel packages to the next Olympics in South Korea in 2018 and Japan in 2020 as well as exclusive Olympic ticket packages.

"This is another fantastic addition to our already strong roster of partners," says BOA chief executive officer Bill Sweeney. "In creating this new partnership, we aim to offer a range of opportunities for our fans, from single tickets for sought-after events to full hospitality packages and a unique insight into the Olympic Games."

"The creation of these new experiences will provide a unique opportunity for Team GB fans to engage with the team and will be the first of its kind in this country," STH Group chief executive officer Simon Jefford added. "This new venture will put supporting Team GB athletes at the heart of our offer."

The PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games are now less than a year away beginning on Feb. 9 and concluding on Feb. 25.

National Sports Day a Hit in Qatar

National Federations and athletes in Qatar organized an array of events around the country to celebrate 'National Sport Day' for the sixth consecutive year.

"National Sport Day provides a unique opportunity to unite our nation through sport and share the Olympic spirit," Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) president Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani said in a statement.

"This is about more than just one day of sport – it is about kick-starting a future of health, happiness and success and we hope today’s festivities have inspired people of all ages and abilities to participate in regular activity at any level."

Participants includedH.E. Sheikh Joaan, QOC Secretary General H.E. Dr. Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Olympian Fares Ibrahim, Paralympian Sara Masou and many more.

Team Qatar athletes spoke of their experiences at the last Olympic Games in Rio and engaged Qatar's youth in various activities. The first ever Qatari woman to compete in the Olympics, Nada Arakji, held a swimming event at the Hamad Aquatic Centre in honor of the day.

"Competing in the Olympic Games was one of the best experiences of my life and I hope to inspire a lot of women, especially from younger generations, to be the best that they can be and do the sport that they love," Arakji states.

AOC Worried for Hackett’s Welfare

Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates says the committee has offered "any support" Grant Hackett needs.

Hackett is a seven-time Olympic medalist in swimming from Australia. His family reported him missing yesterday, after he was detained by Gold Coast police. His family said that Hackett suffered a "breakdown" leading to his detainment, according to local reports.

A day after he was reported missing Hackett’s family said in a press conference Hackett was found "alive and sober." After retiring from his athletic career, Hackett struggled with drug and alcohol abuse.

"We are concerned for Grant’s welfare; this is not the Grant we know and respect," Coates said in a statement. "Grant is a great Olympic champion, one of the greatest swimmers of all time, and his contribution to the Olympic Movement and to sport in general should not be forgotten. We hope he can overcome his current challenges and we have offered him any support he needs."

Written by Kevin Nutley, Courtney Colquitt and Aaron Bauer.

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