Free travel for elite athletes

Launched by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, The Athletes' London Travelcard will enable up to 800 elite athletes to use public transport in the capital as part of the British Olympic Association (BOA) Passport scheme.

The BOA scheme enables nominated athletes to benefit from support for their intensive training needs.

Ken Livingstone said: "Free London travel rewards the commitment of our most promising athletes by helping them reach their full potential at, and in the run-up to, the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012."

Olympian and 400m Commonwealth Gold Medallist Christine Ohuruogu, who was also at the launch, said: "As with many athletes my sport requires me to travel extensively to train and to compete.

"The elite athlete travelcard will be very welcome as it will enable me to channel my resources in to my sporting life."

4 July 2006

Click here to view the BOA release