Exclusive: New scheme for SMEs to get involved in London 2012 to be launched

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

July 25 - A major new multi-million pound scheme that will allow Britain's smaller businesses to get involved in the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics is to be launched tomorrow.  

"Our Team 2012" is aimed at getting the support of the country's small and medium-sized (SME) businesses to help Britain's athletes prepare for the Games.

Designed exclusively for SMEs, the fundraising programme, will run alongside Team 2012, the scheme sponosred by Visa launched last September and described by London 2012 Sebastian Coe as "a ground-breaking moment for British sport".

Team 2012 was designed to help fill a £50 million ($77 million) shortfall in funding by the then Government under Gordon Brown.

Firms that sign-up for the new scheme, which will also complement existing National Lottery and Government funding, will receive official status linked to London 2012 and provide a unique opportunity for businesses to gain access to sporting and hospitality events, although this is unlikely to include the Olympics and Paralympics themselves.

Among the athletes and officials due to attend a press launch at the British Olympic Association's (BOA) headquarters in London tomorrow morning are four-time Olympic champion Sir Matthew Pinsent, Sports and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson, London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton and BOA chairman Colin Moynihan.

The event will also mark the first appearance via a video of Duncan Bannatyne, one of the stars of Dragon's Den, who is an ambassador for Our Team 2012.

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