Cisco the Newest Paris 2024 Partner - Sponsor Spotlight

(ATR) Paris 2024 adds a veteran sponsor as its third official partner.

A world leader in IT, Cisco will provide networking infrastructure, cybersecurity and video conferencing solutions to power the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.

Cisco brings plenty of expertise, having supported London 2012 and Rio 2016 in addition to currently working as the official network equipment partner of Tokyo 2020.

"We are extremely honored to have the opportunity to support the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is a historic moment to host one of most inclusive, sustainable, and technologically-advanced events, and we are excited to help further France’s goal to build a strong digital foundation on which to drive growth for the future," said Chuck Robbins, Cisco Chairman and CEO.

The company joins lottery operator FDJ and Le Coq Sportif as official Paris 2024 partners. Groupe BPCE, EDF, and Orange are premium partners, the highest domestic tier in the Paris 2024 sponsorship ladder that is led by the 13 worldwide TOP sponsors.

"Team Lilly" Launches Ahead of Tokyo 2020

Team USA sponsor Eli Lilly marked this week’s 100 days to go until Tokyo 2020 by revealing its official athlete roster.

Lilly, the first prescription medicines partner of Team USA, has engaged seven U.S. Olympians and Paralympians as Champions of Health.

Kathleen Baker (swimming), Laurie Hernandez (gymnastics), Chaunté Lowe (track & field), Ryan Murphy (swimming), April Ross (volleyball), Oz Sanchez (paracycling), and Allysa Seely (paratriathlon) will share personal stories on how their lives have been impacted by health challenges.

Team Lilly athletes hope their journeys inspire Americans facing similar challenges in their lives.

"This year, good health became an increased priority for everyone. It’s an honor to be joining Team Lilly and working with a company that not only celebrates what is possible with good health, but also makes important medicines to treat serious conditions," said Lowe, a four-time Olympic high jumper who navigated her 2019 breast cancer diagnosis while training and caring for her three children.

"For us, success is finding solutions that help people heal and live longer, healthier lives," Patrik Jonsson, senior vice president of Eli Lilly and Company, president of Lilly USA and chief customer officer, tells Around the Rings.

"Being a Team USA partner offers Lilly an important platform to talk about the role of good health in reaching one’s potential alongside a like-minded organization."

Team Ireland's First Paris 2024 Partner

Deloitte Ireland announces that it will become official partner to Team Ireland, signing a four-year deal that includes the next three Olympic Games.

The agreement makes Deloitte the Olympic Federation of Ireland’s first official partner for Paris 2024.

It also covers the Summer and Winter European Youth Olympic Festival, and European Games.

"Like Team Ireland, we recognize the importance of developing talent, being resilient, highly motivated and working hard to be the best we can be," Deloitte Ireland CEO Harry Goddard said.

Peter Sherrard, CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, added "I want to thank Harry Goddard and all of the team at Deloitte for their commitment to Ireland’s elite athletes who do so much to represent us internationally. The support and expertise of Deloitte on their journey is a great plus for Team Ireland."

P&G, MLS Teaming Up

Worldwide Olympic sponsor Procter & Gamble signs on with Major League Soccer (MLS).

The deal, announced this week ahead of the start of the MLS season on April 16, was characterized only as "multi-year and multifaceted" in a press release.

CNBC reports that P&G will pay the North American league $80 million to $100 million over five years to promote brands such as Gillette, Old Spice, Crest, Oral B, Dawn, Charmin and Bounty.

Procter & Gamble will sponsor the MLS All-Star Game, as well as the Campeones Cup, Leagues Cup and the U.S. tour of the Mexico men's national team.

Additionally, the company will work with MLS and other partners to make soccer accessible at all levels through overcoming barriers such as cost and travel.

"We're excited for our brands to participate in a sport so beloved by millions of families, while also investing in the future with an organization committed to utilizing sport as a vehicle for positive social change," Proctor & Gamble chief brand officer Marc Pritchard said in a statement.

Gary Stevenson, MLS Deputy Commissioner, and President and Managing Director of MLS Business Ventures, said "The sport is on the rise like never before, and adding P&G as a key strategic partner with incredible marketing and consumer engagement expertise will undoubtedly help us accelerate our growth."

Written by Gerard Farek

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