The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Marketing Program was officially
launched on Monday by the Beijing Organizing Committee for the
Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) to about 500 Chinese and
international business leaders.
The program was unveiled at the Beijing Hotel by BOCOG President
Liu Qi, along with Deng Pufang, president of
China Disabled Persons' Federation and BOCOG executive
president.
Sir Philip Craven, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
president, sent a congratulatory message to BOCOG.
Addressing the business community at the event, Liu Qi
encouraged the active participation and partnership of domestic and
international firms.
"A successful Paralympics in Beijing will further promote the
development of the cause for disabled persons in China, urge the
whole society to pay more attention to the cause, reinforce the
construction of accessible installations for the disabled, thereby
enhancing efforts to construct a harmonious society in China," Liu
said.
Liu said that BOCOG was willing to cooperate closely with the
IPC to strive for a high-level Paralympics with distinguishing
features.
"The active participation of private enterprise constitutes a
powerful guarantee for the success of the Paralympic Games,
providing 'a booster' for the development of undertakings for
China's disabled people and contributing greatly to the development
of the world Paralympic Movement," Deng Pufang said in his event
speech.
BOCOG used the event to outline the benefits of Paralympic
sponsorship and explain the opportunities that exist to support the
Paralympic Games.
The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Marketing Program consists of a
Sponsorship Program and a Licensing Program. The Sponsorship
Program is divided into three categories: Paralympic Partner,
Paralympic Sponsor and Paralympic Supplier (both Exclusive and
Co-Exclusive).
The Beijing Paralympic Games will be held from September 6 to
17, 2008. It opens 12 days after the 29th Summer Olympic Games ends on August
24.
The games will feature 20 sporting disciplines, the largest
number in history, with rowing being the latest addition to the
roundup. 18 of the competitions will be held in Beijing, sailing
events in Qingdao, and equestrian events in Hong Kong.
For more information on the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic
Games, please visit www.beijing2008.com.
(BOCOG June 6, 2006)
