Video: Sir Chris Hoy to inspire Rio 2016 athletes

Sir Chris Hoy will help head a new campaign by Nissan aimed at inspiring the next generation of Olympic athletes. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Six-time Olympic gold medallist Hoy and Whitehead, who won Paralympic gold in 2012 at the 200m, are to front a new campaign by car manufacturer Nissan called #UniteAndExcite, which will aim to inspire British athletes to excel in the Sochi Winter Olympic Games, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio in two years’ time.

The campaign will provide behind-the-scenes footage of athletes aiming to compete in the Games, which will be viewable at nissan.co.uk/uniteandexcite.

Hoy stars in the first clip Nissan have unveiled, which finds the Scot on familiar territory as he competes against rivals in a spring race, with TeamGB fans watching anxiously.

The mammoth campaign itself will see Nissan commit to supporting athletes for the three Olympic Games events across the next two-and-a-half years.

Sir Chris Hoy said of the campaign: “I’m hugely excited to be a part of Nissan’s Team GB & ParalympicsGB partnership. Nissan is famed for its innovation & excitement and its #UniteAndExcite campaign will make the thrill of the Games more accessible to the British public, whilst Nissan’s innovation support will mean a huge amount for the athletes throughout their preparations for Rio 2016.”

Richard Whitehead MBE added: “I have competed in both Winter and Summer Paralympics and hope that by passing on my experience I can be of help to the next generation of British Paralympians. I’m thrilled to be part of Nissan’s plans and as I still have my own aspirations for Rio 2016 I’m looking forward to working closely with Nissan through to 2016.”

Nissan GB Marketing Director, Guillaume Masurel, said: “We couldn’t ask for more inspirational campaign ambassadors than Sir Chris Hoy and Richard Whitehead MBE. We are delighted to be working in partnership with them to mentor and develop Britain’s most promising athletes on the road to Rio.”