Team Visa has been implemented in around 12 country markets, but the UK model involves more athletes than any previous scheme.
The athletes will be mentored by multiple Olympians Sir Steve Redgrave and Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, who, with Visa, helped to select the Team Visa members, who were put forward by their respective sport's national governing body.
The Team Visa concept was first introduced in 10 European countries for the Athens 2004 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
It was then expanded to cover the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics and Paralympics with the introduction of two new markets, and has now been extended for Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
Global payment card company Visa is sponsoring 16 UK athletes in the lead up to the 2008 and 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games under the ‘Team Visa’ banner.
