Contact Energy Backing Bevan Docherty To Beijing

10 March 2005

Contact Energy Backing Bevan Docherty All The Way To Beijing

Contact Energy will back Olympic silver medallist and 2004 World Triathlon Champion Bevan Docherty in a new sponsorship deal that will assist him in his quest for gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Under the agreement, Contact will continue as Bevan’s lead sponsor for the next four years and will support him as he defends his number one title at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships in September, and at next year’s Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Contact began sponsoring Bevan early last year, reflecting the company’s involvement in his home town, Taupo, through the Wairakei geothermal power station.

Bevan says he is thrilled that Contact is again backing him: “I’ve got my eyes firmly set on Beijing, but to realise that dream I have some really important steps along the way, including this year’s World Champs, next year’s Commonwealth Games and a number of other races in New Zealand and overseas.”

The staging of a key ITU race in New Plymouth in November will be a particular highlight.

“Contact’s support last year was crucial to my success and allowed me to focus my energy on training and competing without worrying about finances, as so many triathletes do. I am thrilled that Contact continue to support and believe in my talents,” says Bevan.

Contact chief executive Steve Barrett says: ”We are very pleased to again sponsor Bevan. Along with the rest of our staff, I watched with great pride as Bevan went last year from a talented, relatively unknown elite athlete in his field to a household name throughout New Zealand. We are delighted that we have been able to support him in this transition.”

Bevan will be signing his contract with Mr Barrett at Contact’s head office in Wellington on Monday.

ENDS

© Scoop Media