England and Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge proudly welcomed the FIFA World Cup Trophy to London on March 14, as the world’s largest FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola rolled into Great Britain.
Sturridge, who is in top form for both club and country as he heads towards his first FIFA World Cup, came face-to-face with the solid gold FIFA World Cup Trophy on its arrival in London. The Trophy is taking an unprecedented trip around the world spanning nearly 100,000 miles –- visiting 90 countries in 6 continents as part of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola.
Sturridge not only greeted assembled media and VIP guests at the custom-built FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola House in London, he also challenged them to compete in a Coca‑Cola interactive football challenge; a live activation where participants raced a 3D projection of the footballer in a timed dribbling contest. The challenge is part of Coca‑Cola’s wider commitment to active lifestyles and Movement is Happiness campaign which encourages active healthy lifestyles through physical activity.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy, which can only be touched by previous winners or Heads of State, is in the UK for seven days before moving on to the Netherlands.
Daniel Sturridge said: “I take great pride in welcoming the 2014 FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola to Great Britain. It’s a great honour for me to have come so close to the iconic Trophy today and fingers crossed I’ll be even closer to it this summer! It was great to see the media so enthusiastic to kick a ball about and take part in the interactive challenge”.
Coca‑Cola are offering fans opportunities to get up close to the FIFA World Cup Trophy whilst it is travelling across the nation; the Trophy will be visiting Westfield W12 shopping centre in London on Friday 14th March from 10:00 until 21:00; George Square in Glasgow on Saturday 15th March from 10:30 until 18:30; and The Hayes in Cardiff on Sunday 16th March from 10:30 until 18:30. Fans who visit the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola will have the unique opportunity to have their photograph taken with the Trophy and enjoy a host of fun, football festivities.
The global 2014 FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola kicked off in September 2013 with an official launch ceremony at the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and has travelled to 77 countries prior to its arrival in GB. The FIFA World Cup Trophy is in GB until the 18th March before moving on to the Netherlands. The Trophy’s first stop in Great Britain was to Southend yesterday to surprise and delight participants of a Southend branch of sports charity StreetGames.
Brid Drohan-Stewart, Marketing Director, Coca‑Cola Great Britain, said: “We were delighted to welcome Daniel Sturridge to the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola House. As a talented footballer and positive role model, he is the perfect partner for Coca‑Cola and inspires all generations to lead an active healthy lifestyle. Daniel did a great job in getting our guests moving by encouraging them to take part in his interactive football challenge. We wish Daniel and his team-mates every success this summer at the FIFA World Cup”.
“This is only the third time that the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola has travelled to Great Britain and it will be in the country for an unprecedented seven days – giving more fans than ever the opportunity to see the Trophy. The tour is a great way for us to kick start our support for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. As Official Partner we are not only celebrating the anticipation for the tournament in Brazil, but using the world’s passion for football to motivate people to move more, more often,” added Drohan-Stewart.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter commented: “We are extremely happy to bring the most iconic symbol in football to the world once again. This tour gives us the opportunity to share our passion for the beautiful game with fans across the globe who are given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the trophy up close in their home country. I want to thank our long-term partners Coca-Cola for making this dream come true for many millions of football fans around the globe.”
Former 1998 FIFA World Cup winner, Real Madrid star and FIFA ambassador Christian Karembeu who has travelled to GB with the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola, said: “Travelling around Europe with the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola has been an inspiring experience and we have all greatly looked forward to arriving in GB, a proud football nation with a rich history. Today’s event has certainly lived up to the billing and it’s great to see so many people getting up close to the FIFA World Cup Trophy.”
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