The London 2012 Paralympic Games get underway on August 29th.  Ireland is sending a strong team of 49 athletes across ten individual sports.
In this new series of interviews, Sport for Business has spoken with individual corporate partners of Paralympics Ireland to get a sense of what motivated their involvement and how they have best been able to make it work.
First up is the team from Renault Ireland. Renault have had a strong presence in Ireland since the 1950’s and currently support Dublin GAA as its official car partner as well as the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show on Today FM.
Sport for Business: How did Renault first form a relationship with Paralympics Ireland?
Julien Le Lorrain, Renault Marketing Director: Renault Ireland has been a proud partner of Irish Paralympic Sport since 2010.  We were one of the first commercial supporters to believe in what Paralympics Ireland were building.
What were the main reasons for becoming involved in the partnership?
In 2010, we were looking for a partner, it was important for us to be involved with a dynamic nationwide organisation so that the partnership would work at local dealer level.
Liam Harbison has done a fantastic job with the team and is a great representative of Paralympics Ireland.  Once we had spoken with him and seen his plans we were delighted to be associated with the organisation.
Renault also shared similar values with Paralympic athletes – such as the drive, dedication and commitment to excellence. We also saw that as an organisation and staff we could be inspired and led by this group of elite athletes.
What have been the most effective ways so far that you have made the relationship work?
One of Renault’s key roles was to sponsor the six training camps held in Limerick.  These camps have helped to build a team spirit amongst the squad to prepare them for the 2012 Games.
Renault Ireland staff and the Renault dealer network took part in the camps and although tracksuits and runners were donned and we tried our hand at all the sports – we know we were never even nearly up-to-scratch! Participation in the camps has helped all of us to understand the rigours of Paralympic sport and to appreciate the feats of these inspiring individuals.
There were information sessions on what to expect on arrival in London and throughout the Games that went beyond the event and have helped prepare the team for the whole experience.
It has been a real honour to be involved with the camps. We believe that one of this team’s main strengths will be that they go to the Games as one group, one unit across the various sporting disciplines.
The athletes have met during the Renault Ireland Training Camps, they trained together, they laughed together, they shared good and bad experiences.
We believe that we are sending over a very solid unit, which can make the difference when you are away from your friends and family.
In addition to the Training Camps, Renault has held annual Open Weekends in our dealerships that were dedicated to Paralympic sport and our support of the athletes.  These have to raised an amount of just under €80,000 which was invested in Paralympic training – a fantastic achievement by our network and customers.
Through our online communities we have designed the team mascot, which went in each team member’s kit bag, we are garnering messages of support through Facebook and through our radio partnership with the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, and we will continue to promote the teams successes throughout the Games.
What do you believe has been the main result of your involvement? 
We hope that Renault’s association with the 2012 Team has raised the awareness of Paralympic sport across Ireland; that the 49 athletes at the Games will feel the support of the entire country; and that the Irish flag will fly high in London.
Renault Ireland and the Renault dealer network are very honoured to be part of what has so far been a fantastic adventure.
The Irish team at the London 2012 Paralympic Games will comprise of 49 athletes across 10 sports. Ireland’s current Paralympic stars include Jason Smyth, Michael McKillop, Mark Rohan, Colin Lynch, Catherine Walsh and Catherine O’Neill.  All will be aiming to add London gold to their world or Paralympic titles.
The overall team size will be boosted to around 95 by a highly dedicated and professional team of staff across a variety of roles including Chef de Mission, Performance Director, Team Managers, coaches, sport science/medical and personal care support. The goal is to achieve at least five medals, three of them Gold, and a top-30 placing in the final table.
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