Sponsor Spotlight - Bhopal Activists at Co-Comm Presser; Nike to Sponsor Rio 2016?

Nike Partners with Rio 2016?

Reports say Nike will be a Tier One partner in the sporting goods category for the Rio Olympics.

According to reports in sport business media outlets, Nike will also be the official kit supplier for the Brazilian team in London.

Rio 2016 spokesperson Bernardo Domingues would not confirm the news to Around the Rings.

"The sports apparel sponsor for Rio 2016 and the Brazilian Olympic Committee has not been announced yet. We have not sent out any press release regarding this deal," he said in an email.

Bradesco, Bradesco Seguros, Claro, Embratel and Nissan are also Tier One sponsors for the Games.

Activists Protest Dow at Co-Comm Presser

Protests of Dow Chemical’s Olympic sponsorship continue with activists staging a "die-in" at an Olympic press conference in London.

During the press conference for the final IOC Coordination Commission, five activists lied on the pavement in front of the venue Friday calling attention to an industrial disaster in 1984 in Bhopal, India where a pesticide plant owned by Union Carbide India Limited leaked toxic gas into the town, killing thousands.

Protestors claim that Dow is responsible for the tragedy since it bought the Union Carbide Corporation in 2001 and that the company should not be associated with the Olympics.

Chairman and CEO of the Dow Chemical Company Andrew Liveris insisted earlier this week that these activists are misguided in their actions and that the company is not liable for the incident.

"Well I mean the issue that they're all inflamed about is not the Dow issue, it's an Indian government issue and that's basically what we're saying to them," he said in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Liveris also reaffirmed Dow's argument that while Dow bought the Union Carbide Corp. in 2001, the issue was settled long before in court.

"The Indian government settled with Union Carbide in 1989. Settled and reaffirmed by their Supreme Court three times," he said.

"So it's got nothing to do with Dow and that's in the legal agreements and all the bright lines. They're trying to drag us in because we have deep pockets and that's clearly what they want to do."

Liveris added that attempts by activists to place the blame on Dow and calls for India to boycott the Olympics over Dow's sponsorship did notdamage the company. Such actions, he said, only hurt the Olympics.

"Our company is a company that wins awards on sustainability. We're named one of America's most sustainably enriched company in terms of ethics," Liveris said.

He added: "It doesn't hurt us in India. We have a great reputation in India. Look, activist groups exist not just in India, they exist all around the world and people will have their views. It's a free economy in India and they'll have their views."

EBU Gains Media Rights to FIFA World Cups

The European Broadcasting Union has the exclusive media rights to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Through the deal, which is an extension of FIFA and EBU’s media rights agreement for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, nearly 40 EBU members willdeliver coverage of the next three tournaments.

"This contract is a humbling compliment, and testament to the EBU's reputation as an ideal partner in the sports media rights industry," EBU President Jean-Paul Philippot said.

Bosco Opens Store in Westfield Stratford City

Bosco opened its first store in the U.K. on Friday ahead of the London Olympics.

The shop in Westfield Stratford City is the Russian sportswear company’s 65th location and its first permanent store outside Russia or the Ukraine.

"It has always been an ambition of mine to expand Bosco globally and to touch consumers in the West in the same way we have in Russia," said Bosco’s founder, Mikhail Kusnirovich.

"Sport and style are universal languages, and our inspiration: we put all of that colour, that pride and that passion into our designs. This Olympic year, we are bringing something fresh and exciting to the most discerning shoppers in the world," he added.

Westfield Stratford City is located next to Olympic Park and will serve as the gateway to the Games for 70 percent of visitors.

P&G Selects Venue for "Mums"

Procter & Gamble will use the wine-tasting venue Vinopolis to host mothers of athletes during the London Olympics.

According to trade publications, the facility will accommodate 100 mothers and will be similar to P&G’s venue for athletes’ families at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010.

The company launched a worldwide "Thank You Mom" advertising campaign this year, targeting this key demographic.

IAAF Extends Sponsorship Deal

The Russian bank VTB will continue to sponsor the International Association of Athletics Federations.

As part of the four-year agreement, the bank will support key IAAF competitions including the world championships in 2013 and 2015 and the world indoor championships in 2012 and 2014. VTB has sponsored the IAAF since 2007.

Written by Ann Cantrell.

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