The agreement, which sees Topaz become the "Official Fuel and Convenience Partner", means the company will now promote the team and Irish Paralympic sport through its network of over 320 sites nationwide.

London 2012 Paralympic medal hope Catherine Walsh (pictured right), fresh from her recent gold medal victory at the 2012 UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships in Los Angeles, attended the sponsorship announcement at Morton Stadium in Santry along with fellow Irish cycling squad members Enda Smyth and Cathal Miller (left and second left respectively).

"As an athlete who is targeting the podium at London 2012, it's great to know a company like Topaz is getting behind the team," said Walsh.

"We're aiming for a successful Games and the support will help bring the team's achievements to a whole new audience in Ireland."

Liam Harbison, chief executive of Paralympics Ireland, continued that the deal was a major boost for his organisation heading into the Paralympics.

"Taking part in elite events is a very expensive business and we wouldn't be able to compete without this kind of sponsorship," said Harbison, who is also Ireland's Chef de Mission for the Paralympic Games.

"While the financial support is very important, especially in the current environment, the fact that all the Topaz sites and employees will be supporting the team and promoting the Games is very heartening."

The deal sees Topaz become the sixth 2012 Irish Paralympic team sponsors with Renault Ireland, OCS Ireland, Cadburys, Allianz Ireland and Vodafone already on board.

This is in addition to the 2012 Irish team official partners who are CityJet, P&G, London Irish RFC, O'Neills sportswear, Webfactory, Expd8, Moran & Bewley's Hotel Group, McInerney Saunders, Waterford Institute of Technology, Pembroke Communications and SNAP Drogheda.

"As a fully Irish owned and managed company we are thrilled to support this Irish team," Topaz's marketing and corporate services director Paul Candon (pictured second right) said.

"While competing in the Games will be an unbelievable experience for all the competitors and their families we know the sacrifices these elite athletes will make over the next 170 days and indeed have made since the last Games to reach the standards required.

"Everyone at Topaz will be supporting their endeavours in London this August."

Ireland is aiming to bring a London 2012 team of around 42 athletes across nine sports with 26 athletes having already secured slots in athletics, boccia, cycling, equestrian, rowing, sailing and table tennis.

The full team will be announced in late June.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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