Olympic hopeful Dan Bibby and Paralympic hopeful Melissa Reid at a launch event to announce British Airways as the official airline of Team GB and ParalympicsGB

British Airways has been appointed as the official airline partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB, ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.

With a long history in supporting the national teams, British Airways will ensure the medallist hopefuls arrive refreshed and ready to compete.

At the end of the games, the airline will fly over 1,500 athletes, support staff and equipment back to London for a special welcome arrival.

To announce the partnership, athletes from some of the sports being introduced at Rio attended a launch event at Heathrow airport.

This includes Dan Bibby, who hopes to represent Team GB in rugby sevens, and Melissa Reid who hopes to represent ParalympicsGB in triathlon.
Sevens player Bibby, said: “This is a very exciting time for rugby sevens with it coming to the Olympic Games for the first time this year. 

“Every player dreams of being on that British Airways plane bringing a medal home!”

The Olympic Games take place between August 5th-21st and for the first time will include rugby sevens and golf.

Troy Warfield, British Airways’ director of customer experience, said: “We’re thrilled to once again be the official airline of Team GB and ParalympicsGB.

“It’s an honour to fly the nation’s heroes and their precious medal haul home - it’s always such a monumental and proud occasion to be part of.”

The Paralympic Games take place September 7th-18th, and for the first time will include triathlon and canoeing.

In 2012 British Airways was the official airline of the Games, as well as Team GB and ParalympicsGB, flying a number of athletes in to London from training camps to compete.