GE Unveils Triathlon Ambassadors

GE today unveiled its six triathlon ambassadors who, in the run up to the Olympic Games, will be spearheading a campaign to get the UK behind the GE Great Britain Triathlon Team and maximising exposure for the sport amongst young athletes and the public.

The ambassadors are:

·V icky Holland – Ranked in the top ten in the World in 2010

· Kerry Lang – One of the best swimmers in triathlon and a surgeon

· Tom Bishop – Silver medallist at the 2010 Junior ITU Triathlon World Championships

· Todd Leckie – Silver medallist at the 2011 British Elite Duathlon Championships

· Jimmy Goddard – World Class Podium Squad member of the British Triathlon World Class Paratriathlon Performance Programme

· Clare Cunningham – 2009 Paratriathlon World Champion and member of the World Class Podium Squad

GE supports the whole of the GE Great Britain Triathlon Team as an Elite Partner but will be working closely with the six ambassadors to raise the profile of the sport in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic Games. The ambassadors have been drawn from across the spectrum of the British Triathlon World Class Performance Programme and British Triathlon World Class Paratriathlon Performance Programme demonstrating GE’s commitment to support all elite levels of the sport.

As part of the British Triathlon World Class Performance Programme, the ambassadors will have access to state of the art medical imaging equipment for the early diagnosis and treatment of sporting injuries in the events leading up to and including the Olympic Games. Triathlon represents one of the best medal prospects for UK athletes at the 2012 Games and GE’s support with technology and expertise could help the sport become one of the success stories for Team GB at London 2012.

Jimmy Goddard and Clare Cunningham will also help to raise awareness of Paratriathlon and encourage participation especially as Paratriathlon has been included in the Paralympic Games for the first time in Rio 2016.

Said Mark Elborne, GE UK CEO:

"The GE ambassadors will be on the ground encouraging employees at our businesses across the UK to get active and take up this fast growing sport. As part of our healthymagination programme, the ambassadors will show employees how they can incorporate healthy living with work and family commitments, and we are delighted to be working with them in the run up to the Games.

The Ambassadors are another part of GE’s growing support for British Triathlon across all elite levels of the sport, and are looking to build towards a successful 2012 Games."

Said Todd Leckie:

"I have already benefited immensely from GE's partnership with British Triathlon through increased resources for training camps and other training provision. The additional support I will receive as a GE Ambassador will enable me to complete a busy racing schedule that is necessary for me to have an opportunity to compete for Olympic qualification. GE's backing of triathlon in Great Britain is helping to grow and develop the sport, providing new opportunities for all triathletes and I'm excited to be part of the process."

Following her 12th place finish in the Sydney Triathlon, Vicky Holland said:

"I’m delighted to be an ambassador for GE in the year leading into the all-important Home Olympics. I’m looking forward to this new partnership being successful and beneficial to both myself and GE, and ultimately helping us both to achieve our goals in 2012."

British Triathlon Chief Executive, Zara Hyde Peters OBE: "The GE Ambassador programme is an exciting programme that will promote and support the performances of six of our GE Great Britain Triathlon Team as the sport prepares for London 2012. The six athletes illustrate the diversity, determination and desire of our world class triathletes and highlights how the fast growing, modern and dynamic sport of triathlon is working together with our partners to help our triathletes deliver performances on the world stage."

The ambassadors will also provide content and inside tips exclusively for the GE Triathlon Facebook Community [www.facebook.com/GEtriathlon] including live webchats, blogs and training guides.

For more information, contact: kgannon@apcoworldwide.com.

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