BOA Unveil 27 British Sporting Icons as Team GB Ambassadors

The British Olympic Association (BOA) have looked to divert attention away from current money dispute with London 2012 organisers (LOCOG), appointing a group of 27 of Britain’s most inspirational and accomplished Olympians from previous Games as Team GB 2012 Ambassadors.

Among the stellar list of sporting icons are five-times champion Steve Redgrave and double gold medallists Kelly Holmes and James Cracknell. Between them, the Team GB 2012 Ambassadors can draw upon experience of winning 51 Olympic medals, including 27 gold medals.

Redgrave stated: “The Olympics are pretty daunting, and the fact that these will be a home Games is going to be even worse in some ways.

“It’s great if the majority in a stadium are cheering for you, but that also means added pressure. 

“We are going to be able to pass valuable information over to competitors about how best to handle that.

“I hope I can use my vast experience of competing in the Olympic environment to help prepare members of the team to deal with the pressure, the scrutiny, the highs and the lows.

“But also to make the most of one of the most special moments in their lives; being an Olympian, in front of a home crowd. Hopefully I can help enable them to achieve their dreams, like I did mine.”

The Team GB 2012 Ambassadors are:  Adrian Moorhouse, Amir Khan, Amy Williams, Christopher Dean, Colin Jackson , Darren Campbell, David Hemery, Denise Lewis, Duncan Goodhew, James Cracknell , James DeGale, Jayne Torvill, Jonathan Edwards, Kelly Holmes, Kriss Akabusi , Lynn Davies, Mary Peters, Rhona Martin, Roger Black, Robin Cousins, Sally Gunnell, Sharron Davies, Shirley Robertson, Steve Backley, Steve Redgrave, Tessa Sanderson and Tim Henman.

The Ambassadors will offer their voluntary help to British athletes and the wider Team GB to achieve their Olympic ambitions.

BOA chairman Colin Moynihan said:”The Team GB 2012 Ambassadors will create an important connection between our Olympic heroes of yesterday, who have provided us with so many unforgettable moments of great achievement and British pride, with the stars of today and tomorrow, who will be inspired through their engagement with the Ambassadors to make the most of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented by competing at a home Olympic Games.”

“It is not just the athletes we have to think about; the support behind Team GB is just as important, the coaches, the support staff, the sports, the friends and families who have supported athletes throughout their careers.

“Helping the wider ‘Team GB family’ deal with the unique Olympic environment – and the specific pressure of being at home will also be a key part of the Ambassadors role.”

Team GB 2012 Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said: “The announcement of the Team GB 2012 Ambassadors is an exciting moment in the development of Team GB – Our Greatest Team – at the London 2012 Olympic Games. 

“Team GB will be the largest single team to represent the nation in any sporting event for over 100 years, consisting of over 500 athletes and with the support of the whole of the UK, Our Greatest Team is 60 million strong.

“The Ambassadors will play a vital role at the heart of Team GB, inspiring the athletes, coaches, their families and everyone involved in Team GB’s quest to make the nation proud with our performances at London 2012.”

Both Moynihan and Hunt were barred from sitting in on London 2012 board meetings last week whilst they continue to pursue legal action in the recent untimely money row.