Tyrone Smith has been given a timely boost on the eve of long jump qualifying at the Commonwealth Games after landing a lucrative sponsorship deal with Tokio Millennium Re.

The 29-year-old said that he will now have one less thing to worry about when he stands on the runway and stares towards the sandpit at Hampden Park in Glasgow today.

Tokio Millennium Re, a reinsurance company headquartered in Hamilton, is also the prominent on-Island sponsor of Tyler Butterfield, who competed in the triathlon on the opening day of competition at the Games, finishing a creditable nineteenth.

“Tokio Millennium has shown a commitment to helping Bermuda athletes like Tyler Butterfield and myself,” Smith said. “I have reached out to many companies over the years and not always been successful, so it was refreshing that Tokio Millennium showed an immediate interest in helping me.”

Smith said that the partnership would enable him to train and compete without the burden of financial concerns as he builds towards the Rio Olympics in 2016, which would be his third appearance at the “greatest show on earth”.

Smith, who finished fifth at the previous Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, with a jump of 7.76 metres, added: “This is a great sponsorship deal for me and they have assured me that they will be looking to help through to the Rio Olympics.

“Hopefully, this endorsement will help me get to the podium, whether that’s the Olympics, Commonwealth Games or World Championships.”

Smith, who works as a car salesman in Houston, said that the sponsorship deal would allow him to be more discerning when selecting the overseas meets that he competes in.

“I will be able to pick and choose the meets that are right for me,” he said. “I won’t have to do 20-odd jumps just to put money in the bank.

“I’ll continue working as a car salesman; I love cars. Obviously, one day I will have to segue back into regular life.”

Smith, who finished twelfth at the Olympic Games two years ago, is confident of reaching the medal round in Glasgow, where he expects to renew acquaintances with some of the world’s best jumpers, including Greg Rutherford, of England, who won gold at London 2012.

Tatsuhiko Hoshina, the Tokio Millennium Re CEO, said that the company was delighted to be able to help Smith to achieve his goals. “Tokio Millennium Re is proud to welcome Tyrone to Team Tokio and excited to be part of his efforts to reach the Olympics in 2016,” he said. “Supporting youth and sports in Bermuda has long been a goal at TMR and Tyrone represents all of the positive values that we hope to encourage on the Island.”

Smith competes at Hampden Park, the home of Scottish football, at 6am Bermuda time.

Also in action will be Aaron Evans and Shaquille Dill, who will be making their Games debuts in the 800 metres, and Shianne Smith in the heptathlon. Her four events tdoay will be the 100 metres hurdles, high jump, shot and 200 metres, with the long jump, javelin and 800 metres to follow tomorrow.