Sydney, 10 September 2000 – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced today in Sydney that Samsung Electronics has renewed its worldwide sponsorship for the four-year period of 2001-2004. Samsung will remain the exclusive Wireless Communications Equipment sponsor for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, and the 2004 Olympic Summer Games in Athens. By joining the fifth generation of the IOC’s global sponsorship program, The Olympic Partnership (TOP) Program, Samsung will continue to help fund the organisation of the Olympic Games and to sponsor the athletic teams of the 199 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) around the world.
‘By renewing its Olympic partnership, Samsung continues a tradition of support focused on the core of the Olympic Movement – the athletes,’ said Richard W Pound, IOC first vice president. ‘Here in Sydney, Samsung is helping athletes from around the world share the Olympic experience with their families. Samsung also provides vital wireless communications technology to the Olympic Family, maximising the worldwide showcasing opportunities that only the Olympic Games can provide. The IOC is proud of its partnership with Samsung, and we are very happy that Samsung will continue its commitment to the Olympic Games and its support for the Olympic athletes.’
Further announcements of TOP sponsorships will be forthcoming in the coming week. The IOC expects to generate more than US$600 million in financial and technical support for the Olympic movement through a fully committed TOP Programme. It distributes roughly half of the TOP revenue to the organizing committees of the corresponding Olympic Games and Winter Olympic Games and approximately 40 percent to the 199 NOCs. The IOC retains the balance to help fund its support of the advancement of sport, athletes, and the Olympic values across the world.
‘The Olympic tradition has transcended political and social conflicts and is still embraced by the world’s nations as a forum that reflects a brighter youthful future,’ said Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Mr Jong-Yong Yun. ‘Its immeasurable value lies in its ability to transcend cultures, race, religion and gender and bring together people in peaceful competition. We are proud to be able to continue our commitment’.
Samsung has been involved with the Olympic Movement since 1997 when it joined the top programme as a member of TOP IV. Samsung joins The Coca-Cola Company, Eastman Kodak Company, John Hancock, McDonald’s, Sema Group, TIME/Sports Illustrated, Xerox, and Visa as the ninth Partner in the TOP V programme.
The IOC’s TOP Programme is the only worldwide Olympic sponsor programme. Created in 1985, the TOP programme provides support to the organizing committees of the Olympic Games and the Winter Olympic Games, every National Olympic Committee, the athletes of the Olympic Teams, and the IOC. When the programme was launched, fewer than ten NOCs had any form of marketing revenue. Today all 199 NOCs receive funding through the programme. TOP Partners enjoy exclusivity in their respective business categories.
Contacts:
Franklin Servan-Schrieber
Director of IOC Communications
Mobile: +61 418 270 817
Michael Payne
IOC Marketing Director
Tel: + 61 2 8115 7065
Samsung Media Centre
Tel: +61 2 8119 5276-78
Mobile: + 61 413 779 777, +61 412 194 138
Marketing Media Office:
Tel: + 61 2 8113 0605 through 0609