Dow Chief at White House, Lochte Snags First Post-Rio Deal -- Sponsor Spotlight

(ATR) TYR Sport is the first company to endorse Ryan Lochte after his Rio 2016 shenanigans.

Lochte, along with three other American swimmers, suffered an embarrassing run in with Rio police after a night out during the Games. Lochte initially claimed that he and the swimmers were held up at gunpoint in a taxi on the way home from a night at the French hospitality house.

Rio police swiftly investigated the claim, and found it to be fabricated. Details emerged that the swimmers trashed a bathroom at a gas station near the Olympic village before a security guard detained them. The swimmers paid for the damages to gas station attendants that night before leaving. Multiple miscommunications led to the story spreading rapidly. In the end, swimmer Jimmy Feigan donated over $10,000 to a local charity in exchange for the dismissal of all charges.

After Rio, Lochte’s major commercial sponsors dropped him as a client, including Speedo, Ralph Lauren, Airweave and Gentle Hair Removal.

As part of the new agreement Lochte will participate in TYR Sport’s "Just Let Me Work" campaign, according to a release from the company.

"As a company we stand behind Ryan, and look forward to seeing what he can achieve," Matt DiLorenzo, Chief Executive Officer of TYR Sport, said in a statement. "Through his work in the pool he has elevated the sport of swimming on a global scale. However, it is his humble and caring approach toward his fans that has proven truly commendable."

Dow CEO Leads Trump Manufacturing Push

Dow Chemical chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris was at the White House this week to meet with President Donald Trump on his efforts to boost manufacturing jobs in the U.S. Liveris was one of a dozen CEOs invited to meet with Trump Jan. 23 to begin generating ideas. The Dow chief, a big fan of the president, will chair the group as it comes forward with recommendations in 30 days.

"We listened very carefully and he listened to us about the agenda that this administration has put forward to really revitalize the American manufacturing economy," Liveris told reporters after the meeting. "The conversation honed in on tax, regulatory and trade."

Liveris was the only executive from a worldwide Olympic sponsor at the meeting, although GE’s Jeff Immelt is also listed in a release from the White House as one of some two dozen CEOs who have been tapped to provide advice to Trump.

SportAccord Continues Longstanding Partnership

SportAccord Convention and DB Schenker are teaming up for a 15th straight year.

DB Schenker will be the Official Provider for the latest edition of the Convention.in Aarhus, Denmark from April 2 to 7 at the Scandinavian Center.

"We have supported SportAccord Convention since its inception in 2003 and understand what exhibitors expect when it comes to providing a first-class service for events around the globe. It’s great to be back and especially for the Convention’s fifteenth anniversary year," Christian Schultze, senior vice president of Product Management Sports Events at DB Schenker said in a statement.

SportAccord Convention Managing Director Nis Hatt said "As a long-term Delivery Partner, DB Schenker’s commitment and involvement over the years has been outstanding. Their expertise provides us with the confidence to know that the needs of our delegates and organisations will be met."

The annual SportAccord Convention, held in a different city every year, brings together key decision-makers from sport and industry to meet, network, and strategically shape global, regional and national agendas. The six-day event will host annual general meetings of governing bodies. Among the 1,500 delegates expected to attend the event will be a contingent from the International Olympic Committee.

KT Tape Inks Olympic Champion

Alpine skier Julia Mancuso will be endorsed by KT Tape as she continues her rehabilitation.

The four-time Olympic champion underwent hip surgery last year. Mancuso is currently training to rejoin the Skiing World Cup circuit before attempting to qualify for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Mancuso will continue to use KT Tape during her rehab as well as receiving support from the company as part of the agreement.

"KT Tape has helped improve my stability and range of motion, as well as with pain management," Mancuso said in a statement. "Because of its elasticity, KT Tape moves with me, and it fits comfortably under my ski suit. My goal is to be successful in PyeongChang, and KT Tape will help every step of the way."

Written by Aaron Bauer and Gerard Farek

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