Visa Europe

“On behalf of Visa, Official Sponsor of the British Olympic Association, I am delighted to welcome you to the 2007 Australian Youth Olympic Festival.

Since the IOC President Jacques Rogge announced that London will be hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the nation’s hopes for the next generation of British athletes to succeed has risen considerably.

To achieve this success it is paramount that our young athletes are given the opportunity to experience elite competition at the earliest stage.

The AYOF is a fantastic chance for prospective Olympians to be exposed to the unique atmosphere of an Olympic event, gain international competitive experience in a multi-sport environment and be inspired to go for gold. The fact that the day immediately after the final competition signals exactly 2012 days before the London 2012 Olympic Games will be declared open makes this event all the more poignant.

As the Official Team Partner, Visa is proud to be supporting all 120 British athletes at the start of their Olympic aspirations and as a Global Sponsor since 1986, Visa is committed to raising the profile of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements around the world.

Visa is investing specifically in the future of British Olympic sport through events such as the AYOF and to ensure that Britain’s young hopefuls are given the best preparation to achieve their Olympic ambitions.

I wish all competitors the very best of luck in each of their events and hope that their experience in Australia inspires them to compete at the greatest sporting stage of them all in five years time.”

Colin Grannell