A BMX boy wonder from Gateshead is one to watch for Team GB as the Olympics get under way.
Kieran Reilly, 23, has become a Geordie icon with his success on the bike, even landing the world's first-ever triple-flair in 2022.
Now Aldi stores in Newcastle and Gateshead are showing support for him as the Paris 2024 Olympic games get started on Friday.
Shoppers will notice Gateshead’s own Kieran featuring on screens throughout the stores this week, alongside messages of support and good luck from the supermarket staff. As Team GB’s official supermarket, Aldi is also supporting local sports teams across the UK with a chance to win a sports bursary.
BMX World Champion, Kieran Reilly, who first undertook a carpentry apprenticeship before pursuing his hobby, is known for his daredevil techniques. Since becoming a full-time athlete in BMX freestyle, he says every day he's ‘living the dream’, and is topped as a favourite for Olympic gold at the Paris 2024 games.
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Leam Lane born Kieran, who received his first BMX bike aged just eight, has previously spoken to ChronicleLive on how proud he is of his Gateshead background. He said: “It's definitely seen as a working class community. I got a lot of my ethic from it, my Dad’s the hardest working person I've ever met.”
Much of his childhood was spent in Gateshead skate parks, where he mastered his craft after being taken under the wing by older kids. The adrenaline rush motivated his mentality and persistence to the sport ever since, demonstrated when he was the first ever to execute a ‘triple flair’ flip, securing European Games Gold and victory at the World Championships.
Aldi has also backed Kieran in the build up to the games - announcing his partnership with the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket on his Instagram in January, Kieran said: "Really happy to now be part of the Aldi UK family…supporting athletes through into Paris 2024 and I’m lucky enough to be one of them, here we go!”
The supermarket - keen to support athletes' nutrition as part of their preparation ahead of the games - provides funding and monthly food vouchers to athletes as the official supermarket Partner of Team GB.
The partnership has already successfully supported more than 1,000 athletes in the past four years alone, and Aldi recently announced it will be extending the partnership through until 2032.
Tim Eliot, commercial director at Team GB spoke of its success: “Aldi has been a fantastic partner and support to our Team GB athletes over the past decade and their support in the build up to the Games wont go unnoticed by Kieran. This partnership helps to support our Olympic athletes and enables them to inspire future generations in the local community with their passion for sport and wellbeing.”
Marketing director at Aldi UK Kyrsten Halley added: “Our GB athletes will no doubt be going for gold and we’re behind them all the way. As the official supermarket partner, we wish Kieran Reilly the best of luck.”
In order to claim gold in Paris 2024, Kieran will have to get past Logan Martin, Australia’s winner of the inaugural Olympic title and most dominant rider. But Kieran is confident his daredevil tactics will prove him successful considering his many are replicating his double flair he champions has “pioneered a new age of competing”, was able to beat Logan at the UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow last year.
As the official supermarket of Team GB and Paralympics GB, Aldi recently also launched a Sports Bursary competition in collaboration with the athletes to celebrate the Paris 2024 Games.
Hoped to help sports clubs, local groups and schools across the UK, the bursary offers the chance for winners to receive much needed funding, chance to refresh equipment or even a bespoke coaching session of a one of the Olympic ambassadors.
Ten winning sports groups will be selected to receive a bundle including a £1,500 cash prize, Aldi vouchers and ‘money can’t buy’ training experience with an athlete. Groups have until Saturday to apply, and you can find out more information here.
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