Gillette Fields Team for the London 2012 Olympic Games
Iconic Olympic Hopefuls make up the First Global Team in P&G’s Sweeping Olympic Campaign
Gillette, a P&G brand, today introduced a team of 24 world-class athletes from 18 countries that will represent the world’s leading male grooming brand at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The athletes include Roger Federer of Switzerland, Ryan Lochte of the United States, Lin Dan of China, Emmanuel Ginobili of Argentina and Sir Chris Hoy of Great Britain. Each of these athletes will participate in activities to help inspire and encourage future generations to achieve greatness through great starts in athletics – and in life.
The Gillette campaign will be the first program launched as part of P&G’s far-reaching 10 year partnership with the Olympic Movement. “We think Gillette’s program is the perfect start to P&G’s Olympic Games Program,” said Marc Pritchard, P&G Global Marketing & Brand Building Officer. “Between them, these athletes have earned 18 world records and 55 world championships and they embody the commitment to excellence that inspires us as a company.”
The selected athletes exemplify Gillette’s conviction that in athletics, and in life, a great start can make all the difference. The key to success in many sports can be linked to proper preparation and an athlete’s action in the first milliseconds, not necessarily the final moments of the contest. Gillette hopes to inspire future generations of Olympians by telling powerful, personal stories that illustrate the importance of a great start from the athletes’ perspective. The campaign will also reinforce Gillette’s role in helping more than 800 million men around the world begin their day with a close, comfortable shave, a key part of their grooming ritual that helps them give them a great start to their day so they can look, feel and be their best.
Research shows that early inspiration and support through coaches, local clubs and community centers can help fuel a child’s success in life.* Gillette and the athletes will recognize an organization that gave him a great start and make a contribution or participate in a series of activities ranging from coaching, training sessions and workshops at their local organizations leading up to and immediately after The Olympics to help give future generation of Olympic hopefuls a similar opportunity.
“I have seen firsthand how a program with early involvement positively impacts a young person’s life,” said Gillette athlete Roger Federer. “The athletes working with Gillette have a great opportunity to inspire young athletes to greatness.”
“The Gillette ambassadors exemplify the importance of a great start in life and in their athletic events,” said Patrice Louvet, P&G president of global grooming and shave care. “We are pleased to welcome this outstanding team of athletes to the Gillette family. Together, we hope to make a real difference in the lives of young athletes around the world.”
The following athletes from around the world are united with Gillette in this effort:
Emmanuel Ginobili
Argentina, Basketball
Matteo Tagliariol
Italy, Fencing
Thomaz Bellucci
Brazil, Tennis
Shinji Kagawa
Japan, Football
Murilo Endres
Brazil, Volleyball
Yahel Castillo
Mexico, Diving
Paulo Ganso
Brazil, Football
Fernando Platas
Mexico, Diving
Felipe Franca Silva
Brazil, Swimming
Mario Bazan
Peru, Athletics (Middle Distance)
Alexandre Despatie
Canada, Diving
Nikita Lobintsev
Russia, Swimming
Tomas Gonzalez
Chile, Gymnastics
Rudy Fernandez
Spain, Basketball
Lin Dan
China, Badminton
Roger Federer
Switzerland, Tennis
Alain Bernard
France, Swimming
Andriy Govorov
Ukraine, Swimming
Paul Biedermann
Germany, Swimming
Ryan Lochte
United States, Swimming
Sir Chris Hoy
Great Britain, Cycling
Tyson Gay
United States, Athletics (100m)
Liam Tancock
Great Britain, Swimming
Albert Subirats
Venezuela, Swimming
P&G’s global partnership with the IOC in support of the Olympic Movement reaches through the next five Olympic Games from London 2012 through the 2020 Olympic Games.
In addition to Gillette’s sponsorship of these elite athletes, P&G is supporting the person who has made it possible for them to realize their Olympic dreams: mom. As the Proud Sponsor of Moms, P&G helps moms every day with brands that make life a little easier. As part of the London 2012 Olympic Games, P&G’s ‘Thank You, Mom’ campaign will help improve everyday life for more than one million moms around the world with a commitment to raise $5 million to support youth sport. P&G will also help thousands of moms of Olympians experience The Olympics with their children by providing services and event tickets in London.