CGI, an Independent information technology and business process services company, has announced its sponsorship of English decathlon star Ashley Bryant to support his journey to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

CGI is the official Systems Integration, BPS and IT Outsourcing partner of Team England for the 2018 Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast, Australia, and decided to take up the sponsorship of Bryant as an extension of the support and commitment that CGI has towards Team England and its athletes.

Ashley Bryant won a silver medal in the men’s Decathlon at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games for Team England and recently competed in the 2016 European Athletics Championships.

Loughborough based Bryant, who originates from west London, is recognised as one of the hottest prospects in English athletics and has consistently qualified for major championships in recent years. However, the highlight of his career was winning a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

 

Ashley Bryant said:

“The biggest use of the money from CGI’s sponsorship is that it’s made the life changing move up to Loughborough a possibility. There is so much expense associated with moving, but the help from CGI meant I made the jump.”

“To say I am grateful for the support is an under-statement; it has been tremendous for me”.

 

Paul Blanchard, Chief Executive of Commonwealth Games England said:

“It’s great to see athletes such as Ashley, who has so much potential and an incredibly important couple of years ahead of him, being recognised and sponsored by CGI. We are fully focused on supporting our athletes both during, and in the build-up, to the Commonwealth Games and work closely with our partners to ensure we offer them the best opportunities.”

The Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow Athletic Club star is also joined as a CGI sponsored athlete by two other athletes, representing the two other home nations supported by CGI.

Laura Halford, a three times senior British Champion rhythmic gymnast who won two bronze and a silver medal in the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games whilst representing Team Wales joins Bryant as does Scottish T54 wheelchair racing star Meggan Dawson-Farrell who competed in the 2014 Commonwealth Games for Team Scotland in the 1500m and 5 days later won Gold in the 1500m at the Junior World Championships.

 

Tim Gregory, UK President, CGI said:

“Our support of these athletes and the respective teams is very exciting for everyone here at CGI in the UK. As an organisation we are committed to supporting professional development in our own areas of expertise and it has been great to extend this further into the sporting arena through this sponsorship. We encourage our own members to live healthy and active lifestyles through a number of initiatives and this sponsorship is an exciting way to bring this to life for our members”.

Activities such as blogs, webcasts and visits by athletes, coaches and nutritionists are helping CGI’s members develop awareness of the benefits of exercise and wellbeing. These activities tie into CGI’s existing global health and wellness programme - Oxygen, which provides a range of health-related services and resources to CGI members worldwide.

The Gold Coast Games in 2018 will be a chance for Team England to follow on from the challenge of finishing top of the medal charts at Glasgow 2014 but is fully focused on ensuring that it sends the best prepared team to the Gold Coast.