The car giant, an automotive sponsor of Rio 2016, has launched Team Nissan, a scheme designed to encourage young athletes to focus on the 2106 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The programme will select 30 promising young athletes who are in an advanced training stage.

Paralympic hopefuls will be mentored by Silva (pictured above, right and below), one of the country's greatest Paralympians.

The Natal born swimmer burst onto the scene at Athens 2004 where he won six gold medals and one silver – breaking four world and five Paralympic records in the process.

"We have a commitment to Brazil that goes beyond sponsorship agreements signed with Rio 2016," said Carlos Moreno, the director of marketing at Nissan Brazil.


"We want to contribute positively to the social and technical development of the athletes who will represent our country, and will be those for whom we hope in four years."

Successful candidates for the scheme will be announced at the end of September.

Athletes will be chosen by a group comprised of representatives from the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB), the Ministry of Sport and Nissan.

Silva and Olympic basketball medallist Hortência Marcari (pictured top, left), who will mentor the Olympic hopefuls, will also be involved in the selection process.

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