LEICESTER’S official Nissan retailer is helping to drive Loughborough-based Paralympian Stef Reid’s bid for gold at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Nissan Leicester on Abbey Lane has provided the 29-year-old long jump star with a stunning Nissan Juke Nismo as she gears up for the Games at which she hopes to better the bronze she won in Beijing and the silver she took home from London 2012.
The suitably sporty model – the most powerful in the Juke line-up – will be a huge boost to Stef, who clocks up thousands of miles a year in the course of her training and preparations as well as attending competitions.
Collecting the keys this week, she beamed: “The car is amazing. I love it. It’s big enough that I can fit all my equipment in and it’s the first car I’ve had that’s cooler than my husband’s.”
And she was quick to point out just how crucial a role the car will play as she begins her journey on the road to Rio.
Stef added: “As an athlete one of the biggest hurdles you face is actually physically being able to get to all the meets and so having a car is vital.
“You find yourself driving up and down the country a lot. The life of an athlete is a life of travel and so to have a car that is reliable, enjoyable to drive and comfortable is really, really important.
“Having the Juke and the support of Nissan Leicester will really help me achieve my goals. I got a bronze medal in Beijing, a silver in London and now I’m aiming to complete the collection in Rio.”
The partnership between the dealership and Stef was formed through Nissan’s role as the Official Automotive Partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB on the road to the Rio 2016 Olympic & Paralympic Games.
As part of this, Nissan has launched the innovative #UniteAndExcite campaign which will provide fans with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to athletes’ stories and news of how Nissan’s innovative technology could improve performance; something that really resonates with Stef.
She explained: “This partnership with Nissan is an amazing one and I can see a real synergy there. A lot of Paralympic athletes use technology that’s been developed by the automotive industry. Much of my prosthetic leg, for example, the one I race on, uses technology that’s come from cars.”
Mark Whitaker, General Manager at Nissan Leicester, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to support Stef on the road to Rio and I’m sure she will absolutely love her new car.
“I know she’s going all out to get gold in Rio and knowing we are playing some part in helping her achieve her goals is a real source of pride for everyone at the dealership.”
Fans can follow #UniteAndExcite at www.nissan.co.uk/uniteandexcite
For more information about the Nissan Juke or to book a test drive, call Nissan Leicester now on 0116 404 0111.