BMW Launches 2012 Team; Beijing Stadium Renamed; Samsung Boosts Spending

BMW Launches 2012 Performance Team

LOCOG sponsor BMW unveiled its "Performance Team" for London 2012. Currently consisting of 12 Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes, the team will increase to 25.

According to BMW, the program will help British athletes achieve success at the Games next year.

"We want to help the athletes qualify and succeed at the Games too" BMW said on the Performance Team website.

"Behind our intelligent technologies lies an understanding that even the smallest change can make a big difference to performance – something that every athlete knows. In the coming months we'll be working with Games hopefuls to see how we can actively support them through our world-leading technical expertise.

"It’s no secret that I’ll be looking to win a gold medal at London 2012 but what I do in the run up to the Games, is as important as what I do on the day itself," said Tom Daley at the launch of the program.

"Having the support of the BMW London 2012 Performance Team throughout my training will help to drive me towards my dream and hopefully to pass my driving test this year too."

Daley and other athletes will give fans a look into their preparations for the 2012 Games in London. The public can follow the athletes’ journey at www.bmw.co.uk/London2012.

MasterCard Secures Basketball Venue Name

The basketball venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympics will be renamed the MasterCard Center. MasterCard bought the commercial naming rights for Wukesong Arena on Thursday.

MasterCard is the first foreign company to gain commercial naming rights of a Beijing venue after signing the agreement with Bloomage and AEG. The arena also is the first venue used during the 2008 Summer Games to be commercially rebranded.

Ling Hai, Division President, Greater China, MasterCard Worldwide, said, "we are delighted to rebrand an iconic Olympics venue as the MasterCard Center in Beijing, the capital city and an emerging market with huge growth potential."

"The Beijing Olympics was an amazing eye-opener for the world,"John Cappo, AEG China President, said in a statement."It’s great to have such a visionary partner like MasterCard who wants to continue the legacy of the Beijing 2008 Olympic arenas."

The arena will be renamed MasterCard Center, or Wanshida Zhongxin in Chinese, for five years.

The 18,000-seat arena will be used for concerts and sporting events.

"By teaming up with MasterCard, a reputable global payment solutions leader, we’re really looking forward to continuing the Olympics legacy by bringing the world’s finest performers to the capital to entertain Beijingers and visitors, making Beijing one of Asia’s leading entertainment hot spots," Jessica Gua, deputy general manager of BloomageGroup, said.

A performance featuring Cantonese pop singer Jacky Cheung on January 21 will serve as the official launch of the MasterCard Center.

Samsung Ups 2011 Spending

TOP sponsor Samsung announced that it would increase its spending to more than $38 billion for the year.

The Olympic sponsor will build new businesses, expand its brand in markets around the world and invest in new technology. The new budget is a nearly 20 percent increase from last year.

"Uncertainties surrounding the world economy still remain," a Samsung Group statement said.

"But Samsung has decided to make the biggest-ever investment this year in order to expand its new growth engine by strengthening its global market dominance in key businesses and increasing spending on new businesses."

Samsung occupies the mobile phone sponsorship category.

With the new budget, Samsung Group will invest in new technology for its television and mobile businesses. The company also will hire 25,000 employees this year.

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With reporting from Isia Reaves Wilcox

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