SWIMMING star Karen Pickering is backing a campaign for employers to support the nation’s elite athletes.

The Brighton-born world champion, who swam at four consecutive Olympic Games from 1992, called on businesses to support a new initiative from the British Athletes Commission (BAC), which acts as the unified voice of all Olympic, Paralympic and World Class-funded athletes.

Firms are being asked to spend £25 per employee to become a member of the online British Athletes Affinity Club.

Each member of staff will receive a copy of the Brighton Invitation Book, a discount directory containing more than 400 opportunities to save hundreds of pounds from a wide range of retail, leisure and tourism businesses in the city.

All supporting firms will receive the official British Athletes Affinity Club logo to demonstrate their support through websites and literature.

Karen, BAC vice-chairman, said: “The offers contained in the invitation book enable people to support the nation’s elite athletes and save themselves lots of money in the process.

“For businesses this is an excellent opportunity to directly link their employees with our collective sporting efforts through membership of the Athletes Affinity Club.”

Businesses interested in the initiative should visit www.invitationbook.co.uk/bac.