A SCHEME sponsored by B&Q which helped Dame Kelly Holmes win her Olympic gold medals is to end because of the economic crisis, it was revealed today.
The DIY store announced it is ending its sponsorship with the British Olympic Association (BOA) after three consecutive Olympic Games.
Since 2004 B&Q has sponsored "Team B&Q", a mix of a dozen Olympians, Paralympians and aspiring Olympians who worked in its stores on a part-time flexibile basis which allowed them to fit their work around their training and competition.
The team was led by Dame Kelly, winner of the 800 and 1500 metres at the Athens Olympics.
It also included sailor Sarah Ayton, a double gold medallist in the Yngling class at Athens and Beijing.
The team of up-and-coming athletes also included diver Blake Aldridge, who hit the headlines in Beijing with his synchro dive partner 14-year-old Tom Daley, and trap shooter Steve Scott, ranked number one in the UK in his field.
B&Q had been expected to renew the deal in the run-up to London 2012 but have decided to end it due to the current difficult financial climate.
Jacqueline Caston, the external relations manager at B&Q, said: ‘We enjoyed great internal, motivational success through our partnership with Team GB, but decided not to continue the partnership past the contractual end date of December 31 2008.
"In a tough retail market, our focus is on delivering great products for customers and direct value to our shareholders.
"We wish everyone at London 2012 the best in delivering what I'm sure will be a fantastic event in four years time."
As part of the sponsorship deal, B&Q also helped kit out the British team accommodation at the Olympic Village in Beijing with home furnishings to help them feel at home.
