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Archive for March, 2009

IOC awards 2010 & 2012 broadcast rights in China

March 25th, 2009
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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced today announced an agreement with China Central Television (CCTV) for the broadcast rights within China for the Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic Games.

 

CCTV, the state broadcaster in China, acquired the rights across all broadcast platforms, including free-to-air television, subscription television, internet and mobile phone.

 

The IOC selected CCTV on its capacity to reach the broadest possible audience, and its commitment to promoting the Olympic Games and the values of the Olympic Movement.

   

Commenting on the agreement, IOC President Jacques Rogge said: “I am delighted to announce our agreement to continue our partnership with CCTV. The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games were a landmark moment in Olympic history, and both CCTV and CCTV.com did a first-class job of bringing Olympic action into the homes of the Chinese people. We look forward to working closely with CCTV to make this possible for both the Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic Games.”

 

IOC Executive Board member Richard Carrión, who led the negotiations, said: “In 2008, CCTV proved once again to be an excellent partner for the Olympic Movement in China, enjoying record audience figures across television and digital broadcast platforms. This is the first time we have worked directly with CCTV to reach an agreement for the television broadcast rights, and I am very appreciative of their commitment to the Olympic Movement. We believe we have set the foundations for an exciting partnership over the next four years.”

 

ZHAO Huayong, President of CCTV, said: "CCTV has always been a great partner of the IOC and has been promoting the Olympic movement for thirty years. This agreement signifies a partnership between CCTV and the IOC with the common goal of making the Games accessible to 1.3 billion people."

 

CCTV Vice President SUN Yusheng said: "This is a milestone in CCTV’s coverage of the Olympic Games as it is the first time that CCTV signs the agreement directly with the IOC as a separate right-holding broadcaster. I believe it is a win-win agreement, which on our part illustrates our commitment and endeavour to enhance the Olympic Games in the coming years".

 

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For further details regarding broadcast rights agreements for 2010-2012 in other Asian territories:

   

For further information, please contact the IOC Communications Department, Tel: +41 79 250 9850, e-mail: pressoffice@olympic.org.

IOC

Research shows 78% Olympic fans

March 25th, 2009
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A global research project underscores the strength and reach of the Olympic Movement. Public opinion research in 16 countries shows that 78 per cent of people consider themselves true Olympic fans. The research was conducted for the IOC by Sponsorship Intelligence, a London-based sports marketing consultancy. The results were presented to the IOC Executive Board today in Denver. The findings help explain the continuing support by sponsors and TV Rights Broadcasters for the Olympic Brand and the Olympic Games.

 

Pinnacle of all sporting events 
Further results show that 63 per cent of people believe the Olympic Games are the pinnacle of all sporting events. Furthermore, 73 per cent expressed the opinion that the Olympic Games are more than a sporting event; while some 70 per cent thought the Olympic Games set a positive example for children and encourage them to participate in sport. Sponsorship Intelligence probed the views of 12,000 people from every continent.
 
Beijing success 
With regard to the Beijing Games, 76 per cent of the respondents rated the Games “successful or very successful.” The widespread perception appeared to be linked to the fact that athletes from a record number of countries won medals. Majorities also agreed that the Games had a positive impact on Beijing and China.

 

Important place in society 
In general, the Olympic Games remain extremely relevant, with 65 per cent of the respondents sharing the point of view that the Olympic Games have an important place in today’s society. Some 53 per cent agreed that they are relevant to the younger generation.

The strength of the Olympic brand 
The research confirms previous results on the strength of the Olympic brand:  
- Ninety-six per cent of the people questioned could correctly identify the Olympic rings   
- The values most associated with the Olympic Games centred on three themes:
      - Striving for Success (Excellence)
      - Celebration of Community (Friendship)
      - Positive Human Values (Respect)
 
IOC role and responsibilities fully understood
Respondents were clear about the role and responsibility of the IOC as an organisation that promotes multi-cultural understanding, leads the fight against doping in sport and gets young people involved in sport.

IOC

VANOC releases quarterly report; remains committed to being financially prudent – News Releases – Vancouver 2010

March 25th, 2009
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The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter
Games (VANOC) today released its report for the second quarter of the fiscal
year, which includes a management discussion and analysis, and interim
financial statements for the period ending January 31, 2009. VANOC’s quarterly
report is available at www.vancouver2010.com.

Vancouver 2010

Building starts on ‘world’s fastest’ Velodrome

March 25th, 2009
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Construction has started on the London 2012 Velodrome, in the same week as the Track Cycling World Championship’s start in Poland where Great Britain’s medal winning cyclists from the Beijing 2008 Games will be back in action.

London 2012

Crystal becomes 16th London 2012 commercial sponsor

March 24th, 2009
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London 2012 today announces that international firm Crystal has become the sixth Tier Three Supplier to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 16th company to join the London 2012 domestic commercial programme. Crystal becomes the Official Digital Imaging Services Supplier.

London 2012

First EB of the year in Denver

March 23rd, 2009
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The IOC Executive Board (EB) will start its first meeting of 2009 in two days’ time, in Denver, Colorado (United States), alongside SportAccord, the international sports convention. Led by President Jacques Rogge, the 14 EB members will have a full agenda from 25 to 27 March.
 
Meetings with the IFs
On the agenda of the first morning, the EB will meet the International Summer Olympic Sports Federations, followed by the International Winter Olympic Sports Federations, before closing the morning of 25 March by a meeting with the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) Council.

 

Agenda items
Besides the activities of the IOC and its commissions, the EB’s work will focus mainly on the preparations for the next editions of the Olympic Games – Vancouver 2010, London 2012 and Sochi 2014 -, as well as for the Singapore 2010 and Innsbruck 2012 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). The 2009 Olympic Congress will also be one of the subjects addressed. The EB meeting will end with the IOC President’s press conference.

 

The YOG – one of the themes of SportAccord
SportAccord, the annual meeting of the parties involved in international sport, is being held in the United States for the first time. From 23 to 27 March, Denver will host more than 1,000 representatives of international sports federations, important leaders, broadcasters, journalists and members of the Olympic family, who will discuss the challenges and prospects facing the global sports movement. And the theme “Youth Olympic Games (YOG) – Engaging the Youth of the World” figures prominently. What are the YOG? What difficulties have been faced to date in the conception and planning of this event? What should the role of the digital media be? To speak about this new IOC project and answer questions will be IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Gilbert Felli, IOC Athletes’ Commission Chairman and member of the Coordination Commission for the 2010 YOG Frank Fredericks, and President of the Singapore YOG Organising Committee Ser Miang Ng.

 

IOC

“Innovation and inspiration” in sport for a better environment

March 23rd, 2009
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The 8th World Conference on Sport and the Environment kicks off next week in Vancouver, the host city of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Organised jointly by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Vancouver 2010 Organising Committee (VANOC), in close partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the conference will bring together representatives of the world of sport, industry, sponsors, the United Nations system and NGOs.
With its main theme, "Innovation and Inspiration – Harnessing the Power of Sport for Change”, the 2009 World Conference recognises the power of the sports movement to trigger innovative solutions to the challenges it faces, and to inspire people to pursue a more sustainable world.

Caring for the environment: a collective responsibility

For the IOC President, Jacques Rogge: "Caring for the environment is an important part of the work of the Olympic Movement.  If sport events and activities are not planned and managed carefully, they can cause degradation of the natural environment.  Equally important is the collective responsibility of those involved in sport to ensure that athletes and sport participants are able to train and compete in clean and healthy conditions.  We also recognise there are many opportunities for sport, including sport events like the Olympic Games, to provide sustainable environmental legacies.” Over the past 15 years, the IOC has become a leader in environmental stewardship, going beyond the Olympic Games themselves. Sport and the environment have become a full-time activity area, with initiatives and projects implemented worldwide. International Federations, National Olympic Committees (NOCs), Olympic Games Organising Committees (OCOGs), athletes and TOP Partners have all undertaken practical actions and solutions to protect the environment and promote a legacy of sustainability for future generations.
Olympic Games for sustainability
For the IOC, it is important to ensure that the Games create environmentally sustainable benefits that can be applied to host cities and, ideally, elsewhere in the world. A report by UNEP, entitled "Beijing 2008 Olympic Games – Final Environmental Assessment” shows that the latest edition of the Olympic Games, in Beijing, marked a step forward in terms of eco-friendly mass spectator sporting events. In close partnership with UNEP, Beijing’s Green Olympics Commitment was achieved through its action for environmental technologies, policies and ozone layer protection, and the promotion of environmental education and awareness, among others.
And Vancouver 2010, together with UNEP, is taking the same route, by taking environmental and sustainability considerations to the heart of the Olympic project. VANOC is the first OCOG to have integrated "sustainability" into its vision statement. VANOC has successfully incorporated its sustainability performance objectives into its business systems.

 

Impressive programme and speakers
How is sport embracing environmental responsibility? How can we achieve environmental progress in an uncertain economy? How can green planning, design and construction principles reduce environmental impact while creating more sustainable communities? How can we capitalise on the relationship between sport, business and sustainability to create enhanced value for all parties? How can sport inspire young people to be responsible citizens in an environmentally interdependent world? How can athletes influence their fans to care for the planet? How can governments work together to develop local and regional climate policy initiatives? These are few of the topics that will be discussed in Vancouver by top-level speakers from the sports family, UN bodies, TOP Partners, civil society and the world of business and politics. One of the speakers, Prince Albert II of Monaco, will present his perspective on the opportunities for sport organizations to provide leadership on climate change and other environment issues. He will also reflect on the recent trip he made, crossing from the west to the east of Antarctica to evaluate the impact of global warming on this continent and to alert international public opinion about the dangers of global warming.

First ever IOC Sport and Environment Award

On 30 March 2009, the Vancouver Conference will see the very first IOC Award for Sport and the Environment being presented. It will be awarded every two years, and will acknowledge and further encourage the implementation of good environmental practices by the Olympic family in the field of sport. One Award will be given to each of the continents: Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. The winners have been chosen from among individuals, groups and organisations nominated by NOCs, Recognised International Federations and Continental Associations.

 Official web site of the Conference

IOC

Vancouver 2010 creates advisory panel on official languages. Committee includes former prime minister of France, francophone community members – News Releases – Vancouver 2010

March 20th, 2009
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To reinforce its commitment towards ensuring both of Canada’s official
languages are well represented and celebrated at the 2010 Winter Games, the
Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
(VANOC) has created an advisory committee on official languages.

Vancouver 2010

News release on behalf of the IPC – IPC President Sir Philip Craven and VANOC CEO John Furlong officially invite National Paralympic Committees to the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games – News Releases – Vancouver 2010

March 20th, 2009
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On the occasion of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games Chef de Mission Seminar,
National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) were officially invited tonight to attend
the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada.

Vancouver 2010

Singapore 2010 launches the Million Deeds Challenge

March 20th, 2009
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The Organising Committee of the first Youth Olympic Games has announced the launch of “The Million Deeds Challenge”.

 

The Million Deeds Challenge, a microsite of the Singapore 2010 website, allows people to post their deeds of Excellence, Friendship and Respect, and share them with others. Designed to resemble a virtual Torch Relay, every deed posted will move the virtual Youth Olympic flame a step closer from Greece to Singapore.

 

Mr Ng Ser Miang, Chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC), said, “Through the Million Deeds Challenge, we want to start and sustain a Youth Olympic Movement that everyone can be part of.”
To be part of the Million Deeds Challenge, do a deed of Excellence, Friendship and
Respect and log on to the Million Deeds Challenge microsite at www.milliondeeds.sg

 

For more information on the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games www.singapore2010.sg

 

IOC