By Gary Anderson

January 22 - Sir Chris Hoy will act as a mentor to young British athletes as part of the #UniteAndExcite campaign launched by Nissan ©AFP/Getty ImagesSix-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy and Paralympic sprint champion Richard Whitehead have been announced as Nissan ambassadors and will be part of the company's #UniteAnd Excite campaign in the build up to Rio 2016.

The #UniteAndExcite initiative aims to provide Olympic and Paralympic fans with exclusive behind the scenes access to athlete's stories and preparation for Rio 2016.

Sir Chris and Whitehead will also act as mentors to up-and-coming athletes as part of the campaign.

The video content is available on a dedicated brand hub and first up it will feature Sir Chris taking part in a film which showcases Nissan's commitment to British athletes' preparations for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio.

"I'm hugely excited to be a part of Nissan's Team GB and ParalympicsGB partnership," said 11-time world champion Sir Chris, who won one gold medal at Athens 2004, three at Beijing 2008 and two at London 2012, as well as a silver at Sydney 2000.

Nissan is the official automotive partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB and will provide vehicles to each of their sponsored athletes.

While Sir Chris has retired from elite international competition, Whitehead is planning to be in Rio to defend his T42 200 metres Paralympic title and hopes that Nissan's innovative technology will help him perform to his best in 2016.

Nissan ambassador Richard Whitehead hopes to use the new partnership to help secure a second Paralympic title in Rio ©NissanUKNissan ambassador Richard Whitehead hopes to use the new partnership to help secure a second Paralympic title in Rio ©NissanUK












































"I have competed in both Winter and Summer Paralympics and hope that by passing on my experience I can be of help to the next generation of British Paralympians," said Whitehead, who completed 40 marathons in 40 days last year as part of a charity campaign.

"I'm thrilled to be part of Nissan's plans and as I still have my own aspirations for Rio 2016 I'm looking forward to working closely with Nissan through to 2016."

Both Sir Chris and Whitehead are the first of a number of high profile British athletes that Nissan hopes to unveil in the coming months.

Nissan GB marketing director Guillaume Masurel said: "We are excited to be launching our #UniteAndExcite campaign ahead of the forthcoming Sochi Winter Games laying out our commitment to supporting Team GB and ParalympicsGB over the next two-and-a-half years.

"We couldn't ask for more inspirational campaign ambassadors than Sir Chris Hoy and Richard Whitehead.

"We are delighted to be working in partnership with them to mentor and develop Britain's most promising athletes on the road to Rio."

To view the first instalment of Nissan's #UniteAndExcite campaign click here.