By Mike Rowbottom

Vicky_HollandApril 28 - Six talented British triathletes will spearhead a campaign to raise the profile of the sport as London 2012 approaches, as part of a scheme announced by Team GB's elite partner, GE.


The ambassadors have been drawn from across the spectrum of the British Triathlon and Paratriathlon performance programmes, demonstrating GE's commitment to supporting all elite levels of the sport.

The ambassadors are Vicky Holland, ranked in the world top ten last year, 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 this year's British Elite Duathlon Championships, Jimmy Goddard, a World Class Podium squad member of the British Triathlon World Class Paratriathlon performance programme, and Clare Cunningham, the 2009 Paratriathlon world champion and member of the World Class Podium squad.

The latter pair will also help to raise awareness of, and participation in, the Paratriathlon, which will be introduced to the Paralympics at Rio in 2016.

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.

"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," said Mark Elborne, GE's UK chief executive.

"As part of our healthy imagination 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."

Todd Leckie commented: "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, 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 added: "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, including live webchats, blogs and training guides.

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