BP backs British athletes in their 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.
About BP
BP was tier-one partner for the London 2012 Games, as well as Official Oil and Gas Partner, Sustainability Partner and the Official Carbon Offset Partner with Target Neutral and Premier Partner for the Cultural Olympiad and London 2012 Festival.
BP is of one of the world's leading international oil and gas companies. We operate or market our products in more than 80 countries, employ over 85,000 people and provide our customers with fuel for transportation, energy for heating and light, retail services and petrochemicals products for everyday items. Our interests and activities are covered in two business segments: Upstream exploration and production, and Downstream refining and marketing. Upstream’s activities include oil and natural gas exploration; field development and production; hydrocarbon transportation, storage and processing; and the marketing and trading of natural gas including liquefied natural gas (LNG). Downstream’s activities involve the supply and trading, refining, manufacturing, marketing and transportation of crude oil, petroleum and petrochemicals products. Our activities in low-carbon energy, primarily focussed on biofuels, are managed through our Alternative Energy business.
About The British Olympic Association
The British Olympic Association (BOA) is the National Olympic Committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Its mission is to transform British lives through the power of the Olympic values and the success of Team GB. The BOA’s role is to prepare the ‘Best of British’ athletes for, and lead them at, the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games. The BOA is responsible for championing the Olympic values and brand in the UK. The BOA receives no annual funding from the lottery or government, has no political interests and is dependent upon fundraising income to achieve its mission. The BOA is the strong, independent voice for British Olympic Sport. For further information, go to: www.olympics.org.uk
About The British Paralympic Association
The British Paralympic Association is the National Paralympic Committee for the UK, responsible for the promotion of the Paralympic movement in Great Britain and selecting, entering and funding the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Paralympic team.
ParalympicsGB is the name for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Paralympic Team that competes at the summer and winter Paralympic Games. The Team is selected and managed by the British Paralympic Association, in conjunction with the national governing bodies, and is made up of the best sportsmen and women who compete in the 22 summer and four winter sports on the Paralympic Programme.
There is only one Paralympic team from Great Britain and Northern Ireland; ParalympicsGB. There is not a Paralympic swimming team or Paralympic tennis team. The individual sports join to become ParalympicsGB, the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Paralympic Team.
We are proud of our tradition of outstanding performance at the Paralympic Games: ParalympicsGB finished second in the medals table at three consecutive summer Paralympic Games and won 120 medals at London 2012.
Further information:
Contacts
BOA:
For further information please contact the BOA Communications Team on 0207 8425700.
BPA:
Please direct media enquiries to Tash Carpenter, Communications Manager or Katherine Allin, Communications Officer, via our Press Office email press@paralympics.org.uk or the duty press office phone 07717 587 055.
BP Press Office: Sheila Williams, +44 207 496 4851, sheila.williams@uk.bp.com
