- Team GB and TikTok join forces to bring back our much-loved sporting events
- Campaign to support the British Red Cross in response to COVID-19
Team GB (@TeamGB) has teamed up with short-form video platform TikTok to launch the #IsolationGames, challenging British athletes and the public to creatively recreate the summer of sport in their own home.
With the world’s summer sporting events postponed or cancelled, top British Olympic athletes, including hockey player Sam Ward (@samuel_ward13), gymnastic gold medallist Max Whitlock (@maxwhitlock), snowboarder Aimee Fuller (@aimee_fuller) and diving silver medallist Leon Taylor, will be joyfully resurrecting everyone’s much-loved sporting moments for the public’s entertainment.
Sam Ward initially came up with the idea for the campaign, showing that any sport can be adapted to the home with the help of some family and willing friends. From a triathlon to boxing, shotput to rugby, he’s proved that with a bit of creativity, sporting icons can still keep the world entertained and inspired in lockdown.
Sam Ward, Team GB hockey player, said:
“With sport being pretty much cancelled, why not create something in our own homes, create how you see each sport and learn about what others love to do. Make sure you get involved with the #isolationgames and show us what you can create.”
As part of the initiative, TikTok will be supporting fundraising efforts for the British Red Cross, the official charity partner of Team GB. Funds raised will help the charity deliver food and medicine to those who need it most, make sure refugees and people seeking asylum are safe, and work with the NHS to support people home from hospital. The #IsolationGames in-app challenge page and accompanying videos will include a link for donations: https://www.redcross.org.uk/isolationgames
George Nikolaou, European Community Manager, TikTok, said:
“We’re proud to be collaborating with Team GB to bring these global sporting events to everyone at home. Our community always surprises us with their creativity and they love a sporting challenge, so we’re expecting them to get behind this with some fantastic contributions from creators and athletes too.”
Team GB Head of Marketing, Ed Jones, said:
“During this difficult time we’re keen to keep the nation active and entertained, be it through workouts, iconic moments or fun initiatives like this one. Sam Ward has brought Olympic sport to life in the comfort of his own home in a fun and engaging way and now working with TikTok and the British Red Cross we want to see people create their own #IsolationGames. Whilst fun will be at its heart, it also gives an important opportunity to support the vital work being undertaken by the British Red Cross in the fight against COVID-19.”
Zoe Abrams, Executive Director of Communications at the British Red Cross, said:
“We’re thrilled to be teaming up with TikTok to bring the nation together through sport. While the events we’re facing are unprecedented in living memory, for 150 years the British Red Cross has helped the nation through some of its darkest days.
“The kindness of people up and down the UK is helping us deliver food and medicine to those who need it most, make sure refugees and people seeking asylum are safe, and work with our NHS to support people home from hospital. From showing off your sofa high jumps to taking on a creative triathlon in your living room, you can create your own indoor Olympics while helping the British Red Cross fund its vital work, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our country.”
Follow @TeamGB, @Samuel_Ward13 @maxwhitlock, @aimee_fuller for their #IsolationGames content.
ENDS
About The BOA:
The British Olympic Association (BOA) is the National Olympic Committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Its mission is to develop, promote and protect the Olympic Movement in our territory in accordance with the Olympic Charter. The BOA achieves this through:
- Working in partnership with our members and key stakeholders to deliver world-leading services and support to enable British athletes to reach their full potential at the Olympic Games, Olympic Winter Games and other IOC-sanctioned events
- Working in partnership with our members and key stakeholders to provide athletes with relevant support on the journey to, during and following their Olympic careers
- Engaging people throughout the United Kingdom to pursue their very own goals and dreams through the Olympic Values and the example of Team GB Olympians
- Being the independent voice of Olympic Sport and collaborating with our members and other sport stakeholders, both domestically and internationally, to support the continued growth and overall health of the Olympic Movement in the UK
For further information, please visit TeamGB.com