Dow Named Official Carbon Partner of IOC -- Sponsor Spotlight

(ATR) The IOC and the Dow Chemical Company are teaming up on a new global carbon mitigation initiative that will compensate for the carbon emissions of the IOC.

Dow, which is already a Worldwide Olympic Partner, is now also the Official Carbon Partner of the IOC under an agreement announced on Sept. 14.

Sustainability is one of the three key pillars of Olympic Agenda 2020 and the IOC’s sustainability strategy includes becoming carbon neutral. This involves reducing the IOC's carbon emissions where feasible, while unavoidable emissions will be compensated through the IOC/Dow carbon mitigation partnership.

"In addition to being an important element in achieving key objectives of the IOC's sustainability strategy, our partnership with Dow will raise awareness and provide education on this important topic, alter existing business operations, and create sustainable legacies," IOC President Thomas Bach said in a statement.

In close collaboration with the IOC, Dow will implement projects with its customers in markets including infrastructure, manufacturing, transport and packaging materials.

The partnership, which starts with immediate effect and runs through to 2020, is a global extension of successful carbon mitigation programs implemented by Dow and the Organizing Committees of both Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016.

Sportissimo Becomes Supplier of IPC Athletics

Italian track and field equipment manufacturer Sportissimo is now the official supplier for Para athletics.

In a five-figure deal signed on Sept. 14, Sportissimo agreed to supply Para athletics-specific equipment, devices and accessories to assist Local Organizing Committees in the staging of World Para Athletics events.

The events covered by the agreement include world and regional championships as well as Grand Prix stages. The deal makes Sportissimo the third Official Partner of IPC Athletics following Asics and Allianz and the first Official Supplier.

"The appointment of Sportissimo as an official supplier of World Para Athletics will bring great benefits to the whole sport," said IPC summer sports director Ryan Montgomery.

"In addition to providing a pool of equipment free of charge to Local Organizing Committees of World Para Athletics events, as well as at cost rental and purchase offerings, we will work with Sportissimo to develop a number of new Para sport products."

"We are happy and very enthusiastic to start this partnership because we believe that everyone has a right to compete in sport," said Sportissimo founder Dante Acerbis. "This partnership has the purpose to improve the technical aspect for all track and field disciplines and elevate the level of Para athletics competitions."

The deal is scheduled to end in 2018 but could likely be extended.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 Teams Up With San Francisco Travel

Rugby World Cup Sevens is teaming up with the San Francisco Travel Association as its official destination marketing partner for the 2018 tournament.

The event will be in North America for the first time when USA Rugby hosts from July 20-22 at AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball.

"Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 promises to be a special event and a great opportunity for sports fans from the Bay Area to witness the best the world of sevens has to offer," World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said in a statement.

"Away from the rugby, there is so much for visitors to do in this part of the US, so to have on board a partner like San Francisco Travel is going to make the fan experience even better as they make the most of this opportunity."

San Francisco Travel will provide USA Rugby and Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 with domestic and international marketing support. In addition, the company will work with travel media and tour operators to make sure the tournament is as accessible as possible for fans within the USA and further afield.

Written by Gerard Farek and Kevin Nutley

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