Nigerian Women's Bobsled Team Joins Team Visa -- Sponsor Spotlight

(ATR) Visa is pledging its support for the three-member Nigerian women’s bobsled team as they near qualifying for the PyeongChang Olympics.

Driver Seun Adigun and brakewomen Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga are attempting to become the first African representatives, men or women, to qualify for the Olympics in bobsled. They would also be their country’s first Winter Olympians.

All three women are former sprinters who were born in the United States to Nigerian parents. Adigun represented Nigeria in the 100m hurdles at London 2012. Onwumere won gold in the 4x100m and silver in the 200m at the 2015 African Games. PyeongChang would be the first time that Omeoga represents Nigeria. She was a sprinter at the University of Minnesota.

As members of Team Visa, the women will receive help from the company in reaching their fundraising target to get to South Korea.

The Nigerian women’s bobsled team started their journey on the snow-less grounds of Houston, Texas in a wooden sled they nicknamed ‘The Maeflower.’ They established a crowdfunding website hoping to raise the money to get to PyeongChang if they qualified.

"When we first heard their story we recognized the collective spirit of these athletes as a perfect fit for Team Visa," said Chris Curtin, chief brand and innovation marketing officer at Visa. "By joining Team Visa, we hope to provide this group of determined athletes with a global stage to tell their story and inspire athletes all over the world to follow their dreams and never give up."

NBC Olympics to Set Record for Live Streaming in PyeongChang

NBC Olympics plans to live stream 1,800 hours of the PyeongChang Olympic Games this February, a record for a Winter Games.

NBC Olympics streamed 1,000 hours of coverage for Sochi 2014, which marked the first time that all competition at a Winter Games was streamed live.

PyeongChang will be the first time that the NBC broadcast network - including its primetime programming - will be a part of the live streaming for a Winter Olympics.

"Our most comprehensive digital offering ever is specifically designed to satisfy modern Olympic viewers, who expect to watch their programming wherever and whenever they want," Rick Cordella, EVP and General Manager, Digital Media, NBC Sports Group, said in a statement.

Digital coverage will include live streaming of all competition on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app across desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs for authenticated users; TV simul-stream coverage of five television networks; streaming on connected TVs - a Winter Games first; and an enhanced viewing experience for select sports.

Toyota Gearing Up for Its First Games as TOP Sponsor

New Olympic TOP sponsor Toyota wants to utilize the Olympics and Paralympics to spread the freedom of movement across the globe.

Toyota is gearing up for its first Games as a TOP sponsor that begin next February in PyeongChang, South Korea. In preparations for the event, the company has partnered with 19 Olympians and Paralympians to create Team Toyota.

Gold medalists Ted Ligety and Alana Nichols are two of the headline athletes on Team Toyota who are preparing for their fourth Olympics and Paralympics, respectively. Ligety, Nichols and Toyota Group Vice President Jack Hollis joined ATRadio to talk about their goals for the PyeongChang Games and what Toyota’s sponsorship can mean for global sport.

To listen to the interview, click here.

Otsuka Signs on as Official Partner of 18th Asian Games

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. signed a sponsorship agreement that makes Otsuka an Official Partner of next year’s 18th Asian Games in Indonesia.

Under the deal revealed on Tuesday, the Tokyo-based Otsuka will provide the official sports drink, Pocari Sweat, and the official energy bar , Soyjoy, for the Games

Otsuka has supported four previous Asian Games: Bangkok 1998, Busan 2002, Doha 2006 and Incheon 2014.

The 18th Asian Games will run from August 18 to September 2, 2018, in Jakarta and Palembang – the capital of South Sumatra province.

Written by Gerard Farek

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