10 March 2005
Contact Energy Backing Bevan Docherty All The Way To Beijing
Contact Energy will back Olympic silver medallist and 2004 World Triathlon Champion Bevan Docherty in a new sponsorship
deal that will assist him in his quest for gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Under the agreement, Contact will continue as Bevan’s lead sponsor for the next four years and will support him as he
defends his number one title at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships in September, and at next
year’s Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Contact began sponsoring Bevan early last year, reflecting the company’s involvement in his home town, Taupo, through
the Wairakei geothermal power station.
Bevan says he is thrilled that Contact is again backing him: “I’ve got my eyes firmly set on Beijing, but to realise
that dream I have some really important steps along the way, including this year’s World Champs, next year’s
Commonwealth Games and a number of other races in New Zealand and overseas.”
The staging of a key ITU race in New Plymouth in November will be a particular highlight.
“Contact’s support last year was crucial to my success and allowed me to focus my energy on training and competing
without worrying about finances, as so many triathletes do. I am thrilled that Contact continue to support and believe
in my talents,” says Bevan.
Contact chief executive Steve Barrett says: ”We are very pleased to again sponsor Bevan. Along with the rest of our
staff, I watched with great pride as Bevan went last year from a talented, relatively unknown elite athlete in his field
to a household name throughout New Zealand. We are delighted that we have been able to support him in this transition.”
Bevan will be signing his contract with Mr Barrett at Contact’s head office in Wellington on Monday.
ENDS