Paralympic Heroes Launch Sainsbury’s Race To Rio
Sainsbury’s has launched Race to Rio, a new initiative that aims to encourage thousands of children across the country to get active and support the development of the next generation of Paralympians.
As part of the scheme kids from across the UK will get the once in a lifetime chance to race in the Olympic Stadium.
Launched by London 2012 heroes Jonnie Peacock and David Weir, Sainsbury’s Race to Rio will see children commit to a pledge to complete a mile, until all 5,750 miles between London and the host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been completed. Pledges can be made at sainsburys.co.uk/RaceToRio
As an added incentive, everyone who pledges before Monday 15th July will have the chance to race a mile in the Olympic Stadium, on the morning of the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games on Friday 26th July.
Each pledger will be helping to raise funds for British Paralympic Association, as Sainsbury’s will donate £10 for every pledge, as part of its commitment to support the British Paralympic Association all the way to Rio 2016.
Justin King, Sainsbury’s CEO, said: ‘As the first ever sole-sponsor of the Paralympic Games, we saw for ourselves the power of sport to bring people and communities together, which is why I am proud to launch Race to Rio, part of our continued support of Paralympic sport.’
‘It is vital that the pride we all felt last summer translates itself into a lasting legacy, which is why we launched Active Kids for All last year and announced earlier this year our sponsorship of the Sainsbury’s Summer Series.’
Paralympic Gold Medallist Jonnie Peacock, MBE added: ‘Sainsbury’s Race to Rio will give kids across the UK the chance to experience the thrill of the Olympic stadium and will help inspire them to lead healthier, more active lifestyles. Every mile counts, and Race to Rio will help support young potential Paralympic athletes as they, too, set their sights on Rio.’
Quadruple Paralympic Gold Medallist David Weir, CBE, commented: ‘Getting kids involved in sport and activity at a young age is really important, which is why Sainsbury’s Race to Rio is such a good idea. Doing something achievable like completing a mile could inspire the next young British athlete or just get kids to be active in a different way.’
‘Seeing the support of the British public for Paralympic sport last summer was unbelievable and I hope that schemes like Race to Rio will continue to help stoke the fire of support for ParalympicsGB all the way to Rio 2016.’
