Over the past twenty years, the International Olympic Committee has embraced a partnership with the business community that has brought great benefits to the Olympic Movement and returned great benefits to our partners.
Today, the power of such partnership is further strengthened. It is a significant day because Lenovo Group is the first Chinese company to become a global partner of the IOC's TOP programme, thus becoming an important member in the Olympic family. Although my agenda does not permit me to attend your special announcement ceremony in Beijing today, rest assured that I am very enthusiastic about this partnership and looking forward to a long term mutually beneficial relationship.
The International Olympic Committee welcomes Lenovo to the Olympic Family and acknowledges your support and commitment. Your reputation for quality and excellence gives us great confidence in you.
For the Olympic Movement, this partnership delivers funding to help stage the Olympic Games, technology to operate the complex systems, services to manage the logistical demands, and people to staff some of the most critical functions. In addition, the relationship will play an important role in the promotion of the Olympic Movement and sport throughout China, Asia and across the globe.
The Olympic Games provide a unique and powerful global marketing platform.
As a TOP Partner, Lenovo will provide critical support to the Organising Committees of Torino for the staging of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games and of course to Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games. Major companies like Lenovo, providing their products, services and funding, play a key part in the staging of successful modern Olympic Games.
TOP Partners provide support for every National Olympic Committee and to over 200 national Olympic teams.
We thank you for your support and look forward to a strong and beneficial partnership with Lenovo.