Niamh driving for gold thanks to Yappl backing

Team GB Olympic medal hope Niamh Emerson is on the road to success thanks to a sponsorship deal with telecoms company Yappl.

The heptathlete, who in November was confirmed as part of British Athletics’ Olympic and Paralympic World Class Programme, has secured backing from the business arm of A1 Comms.

The deal includes a new car, big enough to store all her equipment, and the most up-to-date phone technology, so she can keep in touch from Tokyo in the summer.

She said: “I am really honoured and grateful to be given this sponsorship by Yappl. This is my job and my life and being supported by a great business really takes the pressure off.

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“It is also really cool that its offices are in my home town. I do a lot of driving because I receive physio in Oxford every two weeks and also travel to Birmingham every other week.

“I used to drive a Fiat but my physios kept telling me that its seat wasn’t right for my posture and I could fit my javelins in it. Now I have an Audi Q3 and it is great.”

The women’s heptathlon comprises seven sports – 100 metres hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 metres, long jump, javelin throw and 800 metres.

Niamh won the under-20 World Championships in 2018 and is considered a genuine medal contender.

Yappl’s managing director Steve Heald said: “We are very excited to be sponsoring Niamh leading into the Olympics.

“She is a superb athlete and an inspiration to others hoping to compete.

“We can’t wait to watch her in the Olympics, cheer her to success and received that call of celebration on a Yappl phone!”