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A British sprinter who offered himself for sponsorship via an online eBay auction has finally secured a deal to pursue his Olympic dreams.

James Ellington resorted to the unconventional method of attracting a sponsor on a site after he missed out on fundraising opportunities due to injury.

The athlete – a 100m, 200m and relay sprinter – went up for auction in December with a £30,000 reserve. When the 10-day auction closed on December 17 the highest bidder had offered £32,500, but it turned out to be a hoax.

Ellington’s dreams of winning a medal seemed severely jeopardised until the founder of global brand King of Shaves, Will King, stepped in yesterday and offered him a genuine deal.

via Mail Online

[JH]