The
International Olympic
Committee (IOC) announced Tuesday that they have been able to
provide Beijing with more than US$1 billion after television
broadcast contracts have been put in place and some international
sponsors have committed to the 2008 Games.
"The IOC will provide the Beijing Organizing Committee with more
than US$1 billion for the costs of the 2008 Games," Michael Payne,
IOC marketing director, told Tuesday's press conference in
Beijing.
Payne has just concluded his two-day visit here, where he talked
with the preparatory office of the 2008 Olympic Games organizing
committee and discussed how to proceed with the marketing program
of the Games.
The US$1 billion came mainly from two major sources: the television
rights sales and international sponsorship, said Payne.
Well before the IOC voted in July to choose Beijing as the 2008
host, it has completed the television broadcast sales for the
Games, with 49 percent of the revenue going to the Beijing
organizers.
Besides, four international sponsors including Coca Cola, Kodak,
Schlumberger-Sema and Swatch had already renewed their four-year
sponsorship deals with the IOC for the 2008 Games, he said.
"We will announce several more sponsors in coming months," said
Payne. "Internationally there has been tremendous interest and
tremendous support for the Beijing Games, which bodes very well for
the future."
Before arriving here last weekend, Payne has just accompanied IOC
president Jacques Rogge to tour America, Japan and South Korea,
where they met IOC sponsors, along with broadcasters and other
business leaders.
"They congratulated IOC's decision to select China and they are
looking forward very much to continuing their partnership with the
Olympic Movement, 2008 Olympic Games and beyond," said Payne.
He
added that after having "excellent" meetings with the Beijing
officials, the IOC will continue close cooperation with the
organizers to ensure the finalization of the marketing program
early in 2003.
"In the coming 12 months, we will work closely with the organizers
to define the marketing program which we expect and hope will be in
early 2003," Payne said.
( October 31, 2001)
