The story behind a young Kilkenny man’s bid to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games has become the focus of a national campaign to inspire Ireland’s next generation of leaders and champions to follow their dream.
Modern Pentathlete Arthur Lanigan-O’Keeffe (23) from Thomastown, Kilkenny is now just one step away from achieving his own childhood dream and is the front man for this year’s renewal of the Nissan Generation Next programme.
Lanigan-O’Keefe applied, was shortlisted and then became one of six sporting stars among the ten to be voted on as winners by social media nearly a year ago. He chose the use of a Nissan Qashqai for the year and has used that to get between his gruelling training sessions for the five disciplines that make up his sport.
He recently created history when he became the first Irishman to win a gold medal at the European Modern Pentathlon Championships, helping him to secure his place at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio.
Applications for this year’s Nissan Generation Next ambassador programme are now open and Lanigan-O’Keefe has become the subject of a short film and the face of a national digital and print media campaign that encourages Ireland’s ambitious achievers to follow in his footsteps.
The film provides a fascinating insight into his rigorous training regime which involves training over 14 hours almost every day and sleeping in an altitude tent which he has set up over his bed to simulate the conditions at 2,150 metres above sea level.
Photographs of Lanigan-O’Keefe in training such as that above will also appear as the centerpiece of the Nissan Generation Next promotional campaign across digital media and the national print media.
“Being part of Nissan Generation Next has given me a huge sense of belief in my own ability. I found that I have been able to bring that belief into my training and into my competitions,” he said speaking yesterday to Sport for Business.
“Ever since I was eight years old I have always wanted to compete at the Olympic Games. From 6.30 a.m. to 9 p.m at night is spent training, sleeping, visualising and getting myself closer towards achieving my ultimate goal,” he said.
“It is challenging and it is demanding. If you want to do what I do making sacrifices is part of every day life. If I get bad days I visualise what it feels like to stand on the top step of the podium and refocus,” he added.
“We are looking for people like Arthur who are confident, focused and passionate about what they do in life and who could use a brand new, taxed and insured Nissan to help them achieve their goals,” explained James McCarthy, CEO of Nissan Ireland.
“Nissan Generation Next ambassadors exemplify what it takes to make it on the national and world stage. They forge ahead with tenacity and determination and their ability to focus on what they want to achieve and to overcome the obstacles and challenges that they encounter is truly inspirational,” he added.
Applicants for the 2016 Nissan Generation Next progamme can apply online at www.nissangenerationnext.ie.
Applicants will be requested to briefly outline why they are an ideal candidate for Nissan Generation Next and how Nissan can help them to achieve the goals. Family members and friends can also make applications on behalf of individuals whom they consider to be an ideal Nissan Generation Next ambassador.
The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 10th May 2016. A shortlist of 20 candidates from those who apply nationwide will be announced soon after and put forward to a four-week public voting phase. The seven individuals generating the largest number of votes will win a place on the Nissan Generation Next programme.
The judges at Nissan will also select three applicants whom they believe are deserving of a place on the Nissan Generation Next programme, giving applicants another opportunity to achieve their dreams and never look back with the support of Nissan’s commitment to excellence and innovation.
