JCB employees cheer on Adam as he bids for medal in Tokyo

British canoeist Adam Burgess is on his way to Tokyo with the messages of good luck from JCB ringing in his ears. JCB has been sponsoring Adam, 28, for more than a year to help with his preparation for this summer. He left the UK today for a pre-event training camp. Today JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford joined employees in wishing Staffordshire-born Adam well. Lord Bamford said: “We wish Adam every success when he competes later this month. We will all be cheering him on.” Adam started canoeing aged 10 on the River Trent in Stone, Staffordshire with the Stafford and Stone Canoe Club and has been competing internationally for Great Britain and winning medals since the age of 14. As he prepares for the biggest moment of his sporting life, he said: “I’m in great form and relishing this opportunity; it’s something I’ve trained for and dreamt of since I was a boy. “When JCB stepped in to sponsor me in 2020, I’d been on Universal Credit since 2019 and it was hard for me to make ends meet each week. The JCB support has made a massive difference and I am in miles better form going into this event thanks to the help I’ve received. “Before I was barely scraping by and having to borrow money from time to time from my parents. One thing the JCB support has meant is being able to sleep at night without any financial worries.” And he added: “I will be doing everything I can to bring home a medal for everyone who has supported me.” Adam competes in the canoe slalom heats on Sunday, July 25th. The semi-finals and final take place the following day.

Good luck to Adam and all those Team GB athletes who will compete in Tokyo later this month.