BMW Launches 2012 Team; New Annecy Sponsor; Verizon, Samsung 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 Bloomage Group, said.

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

Ski-Lift Company Lends Support to Annecy

Compagnie du Mont-Blanc will give Annecy a lift as the race for the 2018 Winter Olympics heats up.

Wednesday’s partnershipbetween the bid committee and the ski-lift operator comes exactly six months before the IOC will vote on a host July 6 in Durban, South Africa.

The deal signed by Annecy 2018 co-chair Jean-Luc Rigaut, supervisory board chair Christian Monteil and Compagnie du Mont-Blanc CEO Mathieu Dechavanne makes the company the third "local supporter" of the bid.

"It’s a huge asset for the bid to have Compagnie du Mont-Blanc as one its sponsors, operating across 3 major ski-areas in Chamonix and 3 famous excursion sites in the Chamonix valley," Monteil said in a statement.

"We are thrilled to welcome to the marketing program a business which is local to the Chamonix area, operating within the Annecy 2018 playing field."

The bid now boasts 10 official partners, five supporters and three local supporters.

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.

That marks the extent of its relationship with Verizon, whose 30-year sponsorship of the National Governing Body ended Saturday when the clock struck midnight.

"That’s why the New Year is tinged with some sadness as we say goodbye to a great partner in Verizon," USA Luge CEO Ron Rossi said Monday in a statement.

"At the same time, it’s fitting to offer this public expression of thanks for helping our athletes so significantly throughout so many years in their respective quests to achieve their dreams and ultimate goal of standing on the medal podium."

The partnership spanned the telecom giant’s days as New York Telephone Company, NYNEX and Bell Atlantic before culminating in a final eight-year deal with Verizon worth roughly $1 million annually.

During that time, USA sliders won four Olympic medals, three World Cup overall titles and 10 World Championship medals.

Longtime supplier Norton/Saint-Gobain committed to the role of primary team sponsor through at least Sochi 2014.

Briefs ...

...2011 Rugby World Cup matches will air in Ireland after RTE Sport has been appointed as its free-to-air television broadcast rights holder for the tournament in New Zealand. RTE Sport will broadcast 13 live matches. Coverage also will be available at RTE.ie and RTE Radio.

With reporting from Isia Reaves WIlcox

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