Japanese tyre manufacturer Bridgestone has stepped up its commitment to the Paralympic movement by agreeing an eight-year partnership with the U.S. Paralympics national governing body.
Through the deal, Bridgestone Americas will support U.S. Paralympics – and its athletes – at the upcoming Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic winter Games, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the Beijing 2022 Paralympic winter Games, and the soon-to-be-determined 2024 Paralympic Games.
In March, Bridgestone America’s Tokyo-headquartered parent company announced an agreement with the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to become a Tokyo 2020 Paralympic gold partner.
In April, Bridgestone Americas signed three-time Paralympic medallist Will Groulx to its roster of athletes. Groulx (centre of picture), who transitioned from wheelchair rugby to para-cycling in 2013, is currently training to compete at Rio 2016.
Rio 2016 is also set to mark Bridgestone’s first Olympic Games as a ‘TOP Partner’ of the International Olympic Committee. Bridgestone signed its official Worldwide Olympic Partnership with the IOC in June 2014, making a long-term commitment to the Olympic Movement which extends through 2024.