BP Backs British Athletes in Bid for Gold at Sochi and Rio

BP, the British Olympic Association (BOA) and the British Paralympic Association (BPA) today announced that BP is continuing its commitment to British athletes by becoming a top level partner of both organisations.

The support will run through to the end of 2016 to include Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016.

As part of BP’s commitment to British athletes, BP will continue its relationship with the six Olympic and Paralympic men and women it supported in the run up to London 2012: Lizzie Armitstead (road race cyclist), Jessica Ennis-Hill (heptathlete), Stef Reid (long jumper), William Sharman (110m hurdler), Richard Whitehead (200m sprinter) and Shelly Woods (wheelchair racer).

Peter Mather, BP’s Group Regional Vice President for UK/Europe said: "The UK has been the home of BP for over 100 years, and we are delighted to contribute to British life in many different ways."

"We are particularly pleased to support such strong organisations, with their unique values and amazing athletes, as they strive for great achievements over the next few years," he said.

Luc Bardin, BP’s Global Head of Marketing, said: "We are proud to have been part of the incredible success of Team GB and ParalympicsGB in London 2012 and we look forward to celebrating their achievements in Sochi and Rio.

"We forged unique associations with Team GB, ParalympicsGB and a team of wonderful athletes over the past four years in the run up to and including the Games last summer. Although BP is not a sponsor of the Winter Olympics in Sochi or Summer Olympics in Rio, we felt it was right that we deepened those partnerships and continued our support for UK athletes," he said.

Jessica Ennis-Hill, London 2012 Olympic gold medallist, said: "On behalf of the BP athletes, we are delighted that BP has decided to continue supporting us in our campaigns to reach Rio. BP’s help made a big difference in our preparations for London 2012."

London 2012 gold medal winner, Richard Whitehead, said: "What impressed me with BP is that the support and commitment was the same for all six athletes regardless of ability or disability."

Lord Coe, Chairman of the British Olympic Association, said: "Through its continued support of the British Olympic Association, BP is making a critical difference to the athletes who will compete for Team GB at the Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

"BP understands that success in the Olympic Games is the culmination of years of sacrifice and training, and as a proud partner of Team GB, BP is helping to ensure that British athletes have the resources and support they need to excel on the Olympic stage," he said.

He added: "BP also recognises the unique power of sport to transform lives by inspiring people to pursue their goals and dreams, and we are grateful for their continued support of Team GB on the journey to Sochi and Rio."

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of the British Paralympic Association, said: "Today’s announcement is fantastic news for us and our colleagues at the BOA. BP has been a committed supporter of ours for many years and we are very pleased that we will have their close involvement once again.

"We now have a growing family of partners who understand the value of the Paralympic movement in the UK and its potential to challenge perceptions of disability. With their backing, we will be doing everything we can to provide the very best support to our sports and athletes over the next winter and summer Games."

Today’s announcement follows the news that BP has become an official partner of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Beyond the UK, BP has already agreed partnerships to the end of Rio 2016 with the local Olympic and Paralympic committees of the US, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Trinidad & Tobago and the local Paralympic Committees of Angola and Georgia.

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