Official press release, Thursday 26th May 2005
Camelot Group plc, operator of The National Lottery, today announced a major new sponsorship of Great Britain's international rowers. In the deal with the Amateur Rowing Association, the national governing body for the sport, Camelot has been designated the Lead Sponsor of the GB Rowing Team.
Camelot's sponsorship is with the lead men's sweep crew and the lead women's quad crew for competition and training. The sponsorship begins immediately, with both crews competing today (Thursday 26 May) with Camelot-branded kit and equipment at the first World Cup in the UK for almost 20 years at Dorney Lake, near Windsor.
The agreement between Camelot and the ARA is scheduled to last through four full seasons from 2005, through the Beijing Olympiad, to conclude in January 2009, when Camelot's current licence to operate The National Lottery expires. The financial arrangements of the sponsorship will remain confidential with the agreement of both parties.
Camelot has a rich history of sponsoring elite rowing in the UK. A four-year personal sponsorship of former coxless pair Sir Matthew Pinsent CBE and James Cracknell OBE from 2000 evolved into a sponsorship of the coxless four, including Ed Coode MBE and Steve Williams MBE, who won a gold medal at the Athens Olympics last year.
Camelot Chief Executive Dianne Thompson said: "I am delighted that Camelot is continuing its excellent relationship with rowing. We are committed to helping ensure that rowing once again wins Olympic Gold by supporting the two lead crews for the next four seasons in the lead-up to Beijing."
"A big part of Camelot's job is creating winners - I hope we can play our part in supporting these athletes as they become World and Olympic champions."
David Tanner OBE, Performance Director for the Amateur Rowing Association, said: "We are very pleased to be renewing our long-standing and successful relationship with Camelot in their new role as Lead Sponsor for the GB Rowing Team."
"Camelot and its Chief Executive, Dianne Thompson, were hugely supportive of rowing in the build up to the Athens Olympics. This new sponsorship will be a great boost to our athletes as they start the long road to the Beijing Olympic Games. I am sure that this will be a great partnership and GB Rowing's aim will be to match Camelot's business success with our results on the water."
Great Britain's team is competing at the BearingPoint World Cup starting today at Dorney Lake, Eton, and culminating in finals on Saturday 28 May.