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AssetID : 24989840
Headline : Great Britons Unite for Team GB
Caption : **IMAGES ARE STRICTLY EMBARGOED FOR USAGE UNTIL 00:01 ON TUESDAY 12TH JULY**

With the Olympic Games less than one month away, some of Britain’s best loved faces from across the worlds of music, radio, TV, film and YouTube, have come together to rally the nation to get behind Team GB and show their support in the lead up to Rio 2016.
With the countdown to Rio 2016 on, Team GB’s ‘Great Britons’ are fronting the Bring on the Great campaign, which aims to reignite the passion seen during London 2012 and ensure the athletes feel the support of the nation as they prepare to compete.
This summer, they are asking fans to show their support for the 350 athletes set to represent Team GB in Rio by wearing a Bahia band – the Official Supporters item, and by joining the official Team GB fan club. Bahia bands are a traditional, colourful Brazilian band worn on the wrist to create a symbol of support, and are tied with three knots to represent three wishes.
Nick Grimshaw said: “We’re asking the public to get behind our fantastic team of athletes in every way they can including with a visual show of support with a Bahia band. No matter how far away the athletes are we know the support means a lot to them; we want to show them we’re in it with them and will be cheering them on from home.”
With 17 days of enthralling, competitive and emotional sport coming up, each Great Briton comes with their own reasons for getting involved.
Musician and Game of Thrones’ star Raleigh Ritchie said, “When writing music I look for inspiration everywhere, and there is little more inspiring than the talent and dedication of our athletes. London 2012 was a special time, add to that the carnival atmosphere of Rio and the summer of 2016 is going to be electric.”
Presenter Gethin Jones, has a lifelong passion for the Olympic Games, “I always struggle to name my favourite Olympic moment, there are just too many to choose from. From Hoy and Wiggins, to Nicole Cooke and Rutherford! As a big rugby fan, this year looks set to be incredible, I'm excited to see the Rugby 7s men and women, I have no doubt everyone will get behind a new sport at the Olympic Games”.
Gethin Jones is joined by fellow presenters Scott Mills, Edith Bowman, Kirsty Gallacher and Charlie Webster, all of whom turned out in force to encourage the nation to get behind the team.
TV presenter Charlie Webster, who commentated at London 2012, is currently cycling to Rio and is due to arrive on the 4th August. “I always knew that I wanted to be a part of the Olympic Games and be a part of the support team for our athletes. It’s such a privilege to be asked to be a Great Briton this year and hopefully I’ll arrive in Rio tired but elated and ready to cheer on our team.”
Singer and presenter Rochelle Humes said “The Olympics is a special time for me, during London 2012 I got married on the day of the Opening Ceremony, and what better way to celebrate this year, than gathering as a family and watching our athletes make the whole country proud out in Rio. I will be cheering so loudly, I’m sure they’ll hear me. It would mean so much for everyone to get behind our athletes, so make sure your guys leave your own messages for the team via the Fan Club at teamgb.com”
The team are also joined by Instagram superstar Joe Wicks, who’s background in fitness means that he knows how hard our athletes have worked to get to Rio. Joe said, ‘Our athletes are such heroes! Whilst we’re all cheering them on at home they’ve spent their lives training and focusing on this moment. My message to them is this: Go out there and smash it and be in the moment - we’re all so proud of you!
“We want to ensure that the overwhelming support for Team GB is felt by our athletes and whilst naturally, distance is a challenge, we believe that with our fan club and our Great Britons at home, this can be overcome,” says Bill Sweeney, CEO of the British Olympic Association. “Our Great Britons are part of Team GB’s extended support team and we know that they represent a nation that is so proud of its athletes.”
PersonInImage : Joe Wicks