Team GB And British Red Cross Team Up For Olympic Games

The BOA have announced a partnership which will see the British Red Cross become Team GB’s Official Charity Partner ahead of the Olympic Games 2020.

Team GB says it is preparing to take its most diverse team ever to the Games, and is teaming up with the British Red Cross and its network of 20,000 volunteers to inspire the British public to perform acts of kindness and make a positive difference, supporting people in crisis in the UK and overseas. 

“The Olympic Games are such a unifying event which have the ability to transcend sport and inspire people to come together,” said David Bernstein, who is currently Chairman, the British Red Cross and a former Chair of The FA and Manchester City.
 
“The British Red Cross have been supporting people in crisis for over 150 years, no matter who or where they are.  
  
“We believe that connected communities are stronger and more resilient to emergencies. We want our partnership with Team GB to encourage the Olympic spirit in all of us, to get involved and share the power of kindness across the country.”  

The partnership was launched on the anniversary of the 2011 Japan earthquake which resulted in a tsunami that left more than 19,000 people dead. It also triggered the world’s worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, which in addition to the earthquake and tsunami, left approximately 470,000 people displaced.  

Sir Hugh Robertson, Chairman, BOA, said: “We are delighted to announce the partnership with the British Red Cross ahead of Tokyo 2020 and in their 150th anniversary year.

“Nine years ago, Japan suffered a disastrous earthquake and resulting tsunami. Since then, and throughout Team GB’s journey to the Tokyo Games, we have sought to show solidarity with Japan and support our friends and colleagues at the Japanese Olympic Committee and Tokyo Organising Committee as the country continues to rebuild. 
 
“Today’s announcement is recognition of the work the Red Cross did to support a devastated population and is the latest in a number of initiatives to show Team GB’s support for our hosts this summer.” 

The pair will announce a number of ways the public can get involved in making a difference to those in crisis in the UK and around the world throughout the year. Meanwhile, the Olympic torch’s journey through Japan started in Fukushima, where Team GB athletes Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Andrew Pozzi and Adam Gemili visited to view work done by the Red Cross since the disaster.