Team 2012 Presented by Visa

Team 2012 was set up in 2009 by LOCOG, the British Olympic Association, the British Paralympic Association and UK Sport as a fundraising initiative to help support elite athletes in the run up to London 2012 and beyond.

Team 2012 is the largest elite athlete programme in UK history and it is unique as it encompasses athletes from nearly all Olympic and Paralympic sports.

With more than 1,200 athletes from 47 sports and disciplines included in Team 2012, the concept provides a compelling focal point for everyone anticipating the excitement to come.

In September 2009, Visa became the Presenting Partner of Team 2012 providing essential funds to support British sport and athletes. The vast majority of funds raised through Team 2012 will be distributed by UK Sport through its World Class Performance Programme. In 2010, Visa’s financial support of Team 2012 helped UK Sport increase their funding to 11 sports, including fencing, shooting, handball and water polo. This increase in funding means that some athletes are now able to target medals in 2012, and some team sports can have a genuine ambition to be represented at the Games for the first time.

Visa celebrates 25 years of sponsoring the Olympic Games in 2011 and has supported the Paralympic Games since 2002. In the run-up to 2012 Visa is committed to enabling Britons to connect with the Games in innovative ways. As well as providing funds to Team 2012, Visa is also investing in marketing support to help build the profile of the athletes in advance of the Games. This will allow you to get behind the athletes, their sports and learn more about them through their personal stories as they prepare for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Click here to win London 2012 tickets and get behind Team 2012