The team of ambassadors will be led by the double Olympic gold medallist and track and field athlete, Dame Kelly Holmes and their role will be to inspire BT’s 100,000 employees and millions of customers to become volunteers, coaches and mentors for the young British athletes aiming to compete in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
BT also announced that it is the founding partner of the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust, which aims to provide essential life skills to aspiring young athletes to help them develop and perform at the top of their ability. As well as providing communications services to the trust, such as broadband and teleconferencing, BT will also encourage its people to volunteer to act as coaches and mentors for the young athletes involved.
Alongside Dame Kelly Holmes, BT’s team of London 2012 Ambassadors includes:
Scottish track cyclist Chris Hoy, multiple world champion and winner of Olympic gold and silver medals.
The wheelchair basketball star Ade Adepitan. Ade was part of the GB team that won the bronze medal at the 2004 Paralympics and the gold medal at the 2005 Paralympic World Cup.
19 year-old Shanaze Reade, the three times world BMX and track cycling champion. Shanaze is hoping to claim Olympic gold for Britain at this year’s Games in Beijing.
Ellen MacArthur, who sailed single-handed around the world in 2001 and holds five World Sailing Speed Racing Council records. BT is the title sponsor of “BT Team Ellen” which aims to win races while raising awareness of corporate social responsibility issues.
Double Olympic gold and silver medallist Ben Ainslie (OBE), who is one of Britain’s most successful Olympic sailors. Ben will endeavour to win his third successive Olympic gold medal at this year’s Games.
BT employee Richard Fox, who is a midfielder for Team GB’s cerebral palsy football team. Richard scored one of the goals that put the team on the road to the Beijing Olympics in a qualifying match against Ireland during the world championships in Brazil.
Frances Nicholls, a BT employee who is hoping to compete in the GB women’s rowing team in the London 2012 Olympics.
Sir Michael Rake, Chairman BT Group plc, said: “We have always believed in the power of communications to create a better world, and I’m very proud that we have such a strong team of sports men and women on board who share this belief with us. Our London 2012 Ambassadors will release the potential of our people, our customers and the communities we work with, inspiring them to become volunteers, coaches and mentors to young British hopefuls in the world of sport.
“Both the London 2012 Ambassador programme and our founding partnership of the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust demonstrate BT’s long-standing commitment to education, coaching and mentoring.”
