Golden boy George Nash visits Sunderland's Nissan plant

Rower George Nash is the latest Olympic and Paralympic medal winner to visit the car giant's Wearside plant.

George, who won gold at the Rio Olympics in the Men’s Four, is one of seven athletes who have visited the factory over the past two years.

Between them, they have won 44 medals, including 27 golds at various Olympics, inclduing four in Rio this summer.

Nissan is the Official Automotive Partner to Team GB and ParalympicsGB and awarded a gold electric Nissan Leaf to its gold medal winning athlete ambassadors, including George and local lad Matt Wylie, following the Rio 2016 Games.

The full list of medallists to have visited the plant is Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson (11 gold, four silver, one bronze); Sir Chris Hoy (six gold, one silver); David Weir CBE (six gold, two silver, two bronze); Max Whitlock (two gold, three bronze); Matt Wylie (one gold); George Nash (one gold, one bronze) and Stef Reid (two silver, one bronze)

George is a Cambridge University mechanical engineering graduate and requested to visit the plant to see where his Leaf was built.

"The overriding impression I got from the visit how everyone of the 7,000 staff on site has to come together perfectly in sync to build the cars," said George, who recently retired from rowing and has just started a career in engineering.

"It has been great learning what the future plans for Nissan are and how they are using innovative technology across the production line. It’s inspirational to come to place like this and see how high the bar is set for manufacturing in the UK."

Mark Pennifold, HR director at Nissan Sunderland said: “It’s a privilege showing visitors around our plant, but as Britain’s biggest car plant, it gives us particular pride in welcoming our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to Sunderland.

"We are delighted to support these elite athletes in their sporting endeavours – and it is also great to hear that George is now also enjoying driving a Sunderland-built Qashqai."