Olympic Sailing Hopeful Back Mercy Ships

Reigning four-time European Laser Champion and one of Britain’s greatest medal hopes at the Olympics, racer Paul Goodison, has announced his support for the seagoing charity Mercy Ships which provides free medical care to the people of Africa.

While his dreams of winning an Olympic gold are his top priority, Paul has taken the time this week to confirm his support of Mercy Ships as he is acutely aware that the suffering of millions of people around the world will continue throughout the Games.

Paul said: “The work Mercy Ships do to supply people around the world with much needed medical care is fantastic and I am excited about being able to help spread the message. I am looking forward to working with Mercy Ships.”

Goodison, Team Volvo for life sailor, won his fourth consecutive Laser European Championship title in Belgium last month and is touted as the “man to watch” for laser competition in Beijing. He heads to China unbeaten after winning Olympic test events at Qingdao in 2006 and 2007.

He continued: “I feel ready for China. My training has been great, I feel fit, and to become European Champion for the fourth year running in such challenging conditions gives me great confidence going in to the Olympics.”

Racing for the Laser and Laser Radial classes gets underway on Tuesday 12 August.

Judy Polkinhorn, Executive Director of Mercy Ships UK: “We are truly delighted that Paul has confirmed his support of Mercy Ships particularly because of his love of the sea. For him to take the time to endorse Mercy Ships in the lead up to the Olympics says a lot about Paul as a person and we will all be cheering him on next week when he is going for gold.”

Updates on Paul’s Olympic campaign can be found at www.paulgoodison.comand you can watch his latest video diaries at www.volvocar.co.uk/sailing