Ford dealers support top Olympic prospect

17 July 2002: The Ford Dealers of Ireland are supporting sailor Maria Coleman in her quest for glory at the Athens Olympics in 2004. The Baltimore star, recent winner of the Cork Dry Gin Sailor of the Year award, is considered one of Ireland’s strongest prospects for a gold medal at the games.

The Ford dealer body will provide financial support to 34-year old Maria in her training programme for the next two years. She already avails of a Ford Transit in bringing her and her gear around Ireland and Europe.

“The road to success at an Olympic level is a long one and a hard one,” says Denis McSweeney, Marketing Director, Ford Ireland. “It’s not on reaching glory that our sports stars really need the support of sponsors – it’s in getting there. The Ford Dealers of Ireland are delighted to play a part in helping Maria attain her ultimate goal in Greece in two years time.”

Maria, the world number-two ranked Europe class sailor, is embarking on an intensive round of competitions in the coming months in the build-up to Athens 2004.

The sponsorship will be announced at a presentation at the Ford Cork Week, which sees over 500 boats and 6,000 competitors from all over the world descend on Crosshaven for a week of extreme racing and explosive festivities.

July 2002