Chinese athletes join sponsor's team ahead of 2016 Olympics

Zhang Peimeng (L) and Chen Long. Photo provided to China Daily

Leading young Chinese athletes, badminton player Chen Long and sprinter Zhang Peimeng have been named ambassadors of Olympic worldwide partner Visa which will assist them in trying to secure a place at the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2016 Games.

Chen, bronze medalist of the 2012 London Olympics, is the first badminton player worldwide to join Team Visa.

"It's my dream to attend the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and I'm so excited to be part of the team," said Chen.

Shirley Yu, manager of Visa China, said: "We are proud to welcome the athletes to the Team Visa family as they continue their journey to achieve Olympic greatness.

"On behalf of Visa Inc. we congratulate Chen and Zhang on their personal achievements and the examples they are setting for fans everywhere," Yu added after the agreement signing on Monday.

Chen and Zhang joined the elite group of more than 30 athletes from 10 countries and regions around the world, including Australia, Brazil, Canada and the US the Visa Team for Rio.

Next year marks the 30th anniversary of Visa being a worldwide partner of the Olympic Games.

The company is committed to sponsoring the Olympics from 1988 to 2020 and more than 300 athletes have been members of Team Visa program.

In China, Visa has previously cooperated with several world-renowned Chinese athletes including star basketball player Yao Ming, champion hurdler Liu Xiang and former tennis ace Li Na.