18th April, 2016

British Airways appointed Official Airline of Team GB and ParalympicsGB

British Airways has been appointed as the official airline partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB, ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.

With a long history in supporting the national teams, British Airways will ensure the medallist hopefuls arrive refreshed and ready to compete. At the end of the Games, the airline will fly over 1,500 athletes, support staff and equipment back to London for a special welcome arrival.

To announce the partnership, athletes from some of the sports being introduced at Rio attended a launch event at Heathrow airport. This includes Dan Bibby, who hopes to represent Team GB in rugby sevens, and Melissa Reid, who hopes to represent ParalympicsGB in triathlon.

Sevens player, Dan Bibby, said: "This is a very exciting time for rugby sevens with it coming to the Olympic Games for the first time this year. Every player dreams of being on that British Airways plane bringing a medal home!"

British Airways’ director of customer experience, Troy Warfield, expressed the airline's pride in having been appointed: "We're thrilled to once again be the official airline of Team GB and ParalympicsGB. It's an honour to fly the nation's heroes and their precious medal haul home - it’s always such a monumental and proud occasion to be part of".

The Olympic Games take place between 5th and 21st August and for the first time will include rugby sevens and golf.

Bill Sweeney, CEO of Team GB, put the renewed agreement in context: "Flying home with the airline that carries our flag will be a great way to celebrate the achievements of Team GB, as we look forward to an exciting and hopefully successful Rio 2016 Olympic Games. We are delighted to once again partner with British Airways".

The Paralympic Games take place 7th and 18th September, and for the first time will include triathlon and canoeing.

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of ParalympicsGB, commented: "It is fantastic news that British Airways will once again support ParalympicsGB by flying the team back to the UK after they have finished competing at Rio 2016. We hope that there will be a significant ParalympicsGB medal haul on board with us on that flight back and we will look forward to a brilliant welcome home at Heathrow and across the country".

In 2012, British Airways was the official airline of the Games, as well as Team GB and ParalympicsGB, flying a number of athletes in to London from training camps to compete.

It coincided with an award-winning "Don’t Fly" campaign, asking customers to stay at home and cheer on our athletes instead of going abroad. In 2008, the airline also flew the teams back home from the Beijing 2008 Games.

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