Singapore's top marathoner Mok Ying Ren has secured a sponsorship deal with AirAsia in his run-up to try and qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

The three-year deal, worth $100,000, will cover the 26-year-old's flights for overseas training and races. AirAsia is also offering travel packages for fans who want to support Mok on his overseas training and races.

Mok is the first Singaporean man to win the SEA Games marathon gold, when he clinched the title at last December's Myanmar Games. He said: "This partnership with AirAsia will definitely provide me with the right platform to work towards that dream and I will do my best to make Singapore proud and keep our flag flying high."

Said AirAsia Singapore chief executive officer Logan Velaitham: "As a company who believes in 'Dreaming The Impossible', we are extremely privileged and proud to support Mok and his big dream of representing Singapore at the 2016 Olympics. This sponsorship is testament to AirAsia's ongoing efforts to nurture young talents and we are glad to provide Mok with a platform to excel globally."