London Paralympic Games champion swimmer Sophie Pascoe is the newest Beef+Lamb NZ Inc Iron Maiden, becoming the + between Sarah Walker’s ‘Beef’ and Lisa Carrington’s ‘Lamb’.

Announced first on the domestic promotion agency’s Facebook page this morning, the well anticipated news has since been covered at the NZ Herald, which says ‘It all adds up now Sophie has joined in‘.

The 19 year old swimmer from Christchurch, who lost the lower half of her left leg aged two following a lawnmower accident, scored three gold and three silver medals at the recent games in London – breaking two world records and setting a new Paralympic record in the process. She added those to her earlier hauls of ten medals at the Summer Paralympics and four medals at the 2008 Paralympics.

Sophie, who  was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit earlier this year for her services to swimming, will appear alongside the other two B+LNZ ambassadors in a marketing campaign promoting the importance of a healthy diet, including red meat. Kiwis can expect to see Pascoe, Walker and Carrington on their television screens from November.

B+LNZ Inc chief executive, Rod Slater, says Pascoe completes the team.

“She has it all; the New Zealand public love her. Sophie fits seamlessly into the Beef + Lamb brand. We really are seeing the second generation of superstars following on from the original Iron Maidens” says Slater.

Pascoe says she’s really excited to be part of the team.

“I’m thrilled, especially to be working with two other amazing athletes. We all get on so well, it’s going to be great,” says Pascoe.

Congratulations Sophie and B+LNZ!