GB Nearest & Dearest Lounge Launched

Olympic and Paralympic athletes will have help in securing time with their family in and around the Games, after the nearest & dearest lounge was unveiled at Team GB house. The first official support programme aimed at Team GB and ParalympicsGB friends and family, it is designed to help improve the performance of athletes by allowing them to focus on their preparation. 

The programme, created in partnership with P&G, includes 17 Roadshows, held across the country to meet and offer support and information to athlete nearest & dearest; two guaranteed tickets per session each athlete competes in – the first two paid for by P&G; a dedicated website for nearest & dearest to access information, ask questions and see latest news; live sites at London 2012 venues such as Hyde Park that allow ‘nearest & dearest’ access to dedicated zones, and an easy access ‘nearest & dearest’ area in Team GB House, Westfield to meet athletes during the busy Games Time period. 

There is also a secure route for athletes to reach the lounge from the village.

As the whole programme is ultimately aimed at helping athlete performance, athletes will book their nearest & dearest in to visit the space so the meetings with their loved ones are on their terms and when it’s beneficial for them. 

Samples of P&G products will be available in the lounge as well as complimentary food and drink, providing further home comforts for Team GB and ParalympicsGB supporters.

The lounge is open only to athlete’s friends and families, with no access for the press or the general public.

For P&G, the ‘nearest & dearest’ partnership forms part of its ‘Thank you, Mum’ campaign and helps acknowledge the key role mums play within the family environment – and the importance of supporting athletes’ friends and families.

P&G has created a series of videos about the mum behind the Olympic athlete. Check out Jessica Ennis’ story at Sport Industry TV.