Sponsor Spotlight - Tokyo 2020 Builds Support; New Partners for NOCs

Tokyo 2020 Adds Five Sponsors

Five Japanese companies joined the ranks of Tokyo 2020 on Friday.

The bid committee announced Marudai Food Co., Ltd., private-label manufacturer EH Inc., amusement facilities operator MARUHAN Corporation, travel agency TOPTOUR Corporation and homebuilder Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd as its latest partners.

A total of 16 companies now sponsor the bid.

"It is clear that our bid enjoys widespread support in the Japanese business community," said IOC member and bid president Tsunekazu Takeda. "Tokyo has a large, stable and sustainable economy, and the bid has a dedicated Games reserve fund of $4.5 billion. Our budget is fully guaranteed and our financial superiority is unmatched."

The bid also announced it received resolutions of support from both the Tokyo and Japanese chambers of commerce.

ANTA Extends COC Sponsorship

Sportswear firm ANTA Sports Products Limited extended its partnership with the Chinese Olympic Committee through 2016.

A statement from the company says ANTA "will spare no effort in unearthing and exploring premium sports resources and will set a four-year Olympic Plan for ANTA Sports and the COC to invigorate and inspire each other and to march towards the ‘All Sports Era’ hand-in-hand."

The partnership with ANTA and the COC began in 2009.

"The successful extension of our partnership with the COC is a cornerstone of ANTA's brand strategy in future which will allow us to maintain our business strategy development in the mid-to-long term," said James Zhang, president of ANTA Sports.

"Meanwhile, ANTA, as a leading sportswear brand in China, will endeavor to promote the development of sports in China during the partnership period. We will continue to join hands with the COC to promote the development of Olympic sports, culture and charitable work in China as we sponsor the Olympic Day Run and encourage participation in the National Fitness Day and Olympic athletes' charitable activities."

Canadian NOC Gains New Partner

Canadian Tire Corporation signed an eight-year agreement with the Canadian Olympic Committee.

The deal makes Canadian Tire the "Premier National Partner" of the Canadian Olympic Team.

In addition to its deal with the the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Tire expanded its partnership to include the Canadian Paralympic Committee, the Canadian Soccer Association, Skate Canada, Hockey Canada, Alpine Canada and Canada Snowboard.

Canadian Tire also announced its grassroots "Learn to" series as well as its new employment program that aims to "offer employment to athletes with flexible work schedules to accommodate training obligations.

"Thanks to the long-term investment of Canadian Tire Corporation, our Canadian Olympic athletes will have more of what they need to be Canada’s champions – here at home and around the world," said Canadian Olympic Committee President Marcel Aubut.

"It is fitting that a company which, over the decades, has supplied so many Canadian children with their sport equipment will now be going even further – it will be helping them reach the podium."

CNOSF Sponsor

Allianz signed a recent agreement with the French NOC that will run through 2016.

The deal will make Allianz the exclusive partner in the field of insurance for the CNOSF through Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016.

Allianz will also support French athletes at the Youth Olympic Games, the Mediterranean Games and the World Games.

Lufthansa Extends DOSB Partnership

Lufthansa renewed its sponsorship of the German Olympic Sports Confederation for four more years.

The deal covers flying German athletes to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

"Lufthansa enjoys a high reputation internationally and our German athletes like to fly under the sign of the crane," said Thomas Bach, president of the DOSB.

"We look forward to working on the trips to Sochi and Rio."

Also this week, the DOSB confirmed thatGerman Olympic and Paralympic teams will wear Bogner for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Sochi Winter Olympics.

Bogner has supplied Team Germany with sportswear for every Winter Olympic Games since 1936.

The uniform will be unveiled in a show in fall 2013.

Written by Aaron Bauer.