Tag: Jacques Rogge

  • IOC to be honoured as Champion of The Earth 2007

    IOC to be honoured as Champion of The Earth 2007

    MUMBAI: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its president,, Jacques Rogge are to be honoured as Champion of the Earth 2007 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

    Along with Al Gore and five other prominent environmental leaders, Rogge will be presented with the award at a special ceremony on 19 April in Singapore.

    Rogge says, “I am very honoured to receive this award, which is a great recognition of the IOC’s responsibility and commitment to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable development in sport”.
    “Since the early 1990s, the IOC and the Olympic Movement have progressively taken the environment and sustainability into account throughout the lifecycle of an Olympic Games project. The ‘Green Games’ concept is increasingly a reality. Today, from the beginning of a city’s desire to stage an Olympic Games, through to the long-term impact of those Games, environmental protection and, more importantly, sustainability, are prime elements of Games planning and operations. I am very proud of this and would like to thank UNEP for recognising these efforts”.

    The Olympic Games are above all about sport and the athletes, but they can bring several important environmental outcomes if they are planned, managed and conducted in a way which minimises the adverse environmental impacts and effects.

    The opportunity of the Games the IOC says can also be used to provide sustainable environmental legacies, such as rehabilitated and revitalised sites, increased environmental awareness, and improved environmental policies and practices. They can further encourage and facilitate strong environmental actions, and technology and product development in a city, country and beyond, through the educational value of good example.

  • IOC in $72mn deal with Korean broadcaster

    IOC in $72mn deal with Korean broadcaster

    MUMBAI: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has awarded the Olympic broadcast rights in Korea to SBS, the privately-owned terrestrial commercial broadcaster in South Korea. SBS will have all rights on any audiovisual medium in the territory.

    The agreement, valued at $ 33 million for Vancouver 2010 and London 2012, and $ 39.5 million for the 2014 and 2016 Games, includes for the first time Olympic coverage in both North and South Korea. It also shows a significant increase of 109 per cent from the current broadcast rights agreement (2002–2008) with the Korean Pool which runs until the Olympic Games in Beijing.

    In line with the IOC’s policy to ensure maximum coverage and exposure for the Olympic Games broadcast, the agreement ensures that 250 hours of the Olympic Games and 150 hours of the Olympic Winter Games are broadcast on Korean free-to-air channels, along with an “Olympic Games’ Daily Highlights” programme, which will be shown in prime time.

    IOC president Jacques Rogge said, “This significant agreement is an excellent outcome for the IOC and for the people of Korea, who are avid Olympic Games fans. This deal ensures a broader reach and greater coverage with a dedicated and enthusiastic new broadcast partner. This deal will mark the end of our relationship with the Korea Pool. We look forward to their collaboration on the Beijing Games and thank them for their partnership in previous Games”.

    IOC executive board member Richard Carrión, who led the TV rights negotiations in Korea, said, “Korea is arguably the world’s most advanced media market in terms of broadband penetration and early adoption of new technologies. This new contract with SBS will allow the deployment of a full spectrum of new media rights as well as extending the coverage of Olympic Games into North Korea. The financial aspects are also favourable for the Olympic Movement. We are very pleased with this outcome.”