The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) officially launched phase two of the Beijing 2008 Sponsorship Program yesterday.

Speaking at the ceremony, BOCOG Executive Vice President and Secretary-General Wang Wei said, "The great business potential presented by the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will ensure that those who get involved will be rewarded with great investment returns."

Potential sponsors are expected to use Beijing 2008 to strengthen brand recognition and raise their company profile.

BOCOG Marketing Director Yuan Bin assured potential sponsors their official status would be protected with a rights-and-benefits package from unaffiliated rivals wanting to jump on the Olympic bandwagon.

According to Yuan, the rights-and-benefits package that sponsors will receive includes use of the names and emblems of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, Chinese Olympic Committee and all the Chinese Olympic Teams that are to participate in the Turin 2006 Olympic Winter Games and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Sponsors also get the opportunity to exclusively supply products to BOCOG and have the chance to take part in the Olympic torch relay as well as securing tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies, accreditation, hospitality, transportation and accommodation.

"All products that fall in line with the Olympic spirit, the three concepts of the Beijing Olympic Games and Olympic marketing rules will be considered for sponsorship opportunities," Yuan added.

The BOCOG Sponsorship Program consists of three tiers of support: Beijing 2008 Partners, Beijing 2008 Sponsors and Beijing 2008 Suppliers.

The Beijing 2008 Partners Program was inaugurated on September 1, 2003. Seven companies have so far joined: the Bank of China, China Network Corporation, Sinopec, China Mobile, Volkswagen (China), Adidas and Air China.

Yuan said that partners were still being selected and that the supplier program would be launched soon.

"Most of the sponsors are scheduled to come on board by the end of this year and companies from home and abroad will have equal opportunity to participate," she stated.

At the briefing, representatives from the Lenovo Group, Volkswagen (China), World Wide Olympic Partner and Beijing 2008 Partner made presentations to share their Olympic marketing experience.

(China Daily April 1, 2005)