P&G, the company behind some of the world’s best known brands (such as Fairy, Gillette, Pampers, Pantene), today announced that it will be supporting a number of the UK’s leading athletes in the build-up to and during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In addition to supporting the Mums of Team GB through its ‘Thank You Mum‘ campaign, the company will also be sponsoring 11 leading UK athletes who will serve as ambassadors for P&G’s individual brands through 2012.

Irwin Lee, P&G UK Vice-President and Managing Director, said: “We’re very excited to welcome to the P&G family an impressive line-up of athletes who will help us celebrate the London 2012 Games and the role that Mums and families play in raising great kids and great champions. We are delighted to be part of the Olympic movement and to support Team GB and their families here in the UK.”

The following athletes will be supported by leading P&G brands:

Between them this line-up of world-class athletes holds five current world records, has won 31 world championship titles and has brought home over 100 medals from the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships and European Championships between them.

Irwin Lee added, “Each of these athletes is leading the way in their individual fields and embody the values of leadership, integrity and passion for winning that we set for ourselves and our brands at P&G.”

Sir Chris Hoy, cyclist and Gillette ambassador said, “Gillette has a fantastic heritage in sport and I’m delighted to be a part of that. Next year will be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m looking forward to sharing the journey with Gillette.”

Victoria Pendleton, cyclist and Pantene Pro-V ambassador said, “I've used Pantene since I was a little girl so I am thrilled to be the Pantene ambassador in 2012.”

Sophia Warner, T35 100m and 200m paralympic athlete and P&G Thank You Mum ambassador said, “I'm delighted to be an ambassador for the P&G Thank You Mum campaign for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. As both a mum and an athlete, I'm incredibly excited about being part of this once in a lifetime experience and I'd urge mums and families to get behind the Games too.”

Earlier this year, P&G UK launched its ‘Thank You Mum‘ campaign to celebrate and recognise the contributions of all mums. This was followed in October 2011, with the announcement of its ‘nearest and dearest’ partnership with the BOA and BPA to support the friends and families of athletes leading up to and during the Games.

P&G will also ensure every Team GB athlete's mum gets to see their son or daughter compete by providing free tickets to their first appearance at the London 2012 Olympic or Paralympic Games.

P&G’s sponsorship and marketing activity for London 2012 is an important step in a decade-long, global partnership with the IOC spanning the next 10 years until 2020.

The partnership begins with London 2012 and continues with the subsequent four Olympic Games: Sochi 2014, Rio 2016, Pyeongchang 2018 and the 2020 Games. The newly unveiled GB athletes will feature in a variety of sponsorship, marketing and advertising campaigns for P&G’s individual brands in the run-up to and during London 2012.

About Procter & Gamble in the UK and Ireland

P&G touches and improves the lives of about 4.4 billion people around the world with its portfolio of trusted, quality brands.  The Company's leadership brands include including Pampers®, Ariel®, Always®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Fairy®, Pringles®, Lenor®, Iams®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun®,  Fusion®. Ace®, Febreze®, and Ambi Pur®.  With operations in about 80 countries, P&G brands are available in more than 180 countries worldwide.  Please visit http://www.pg.com/en_uk for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

Notes to editors

For further information please visit; www.pgproudsponsorofmums.co.uk