Daimler's Olympic donation

[B]Singapore, 28 November 2008[/B] - As part of the Olympic Solidarity program, Daimler SEA handed over a Mercedes-Benz Vito to the Singapore National Olympic Council. The vehicle was jointly presented by Dr Rainer Thiel, President & CEO Daimler South East Asia and Ng Ser Miang, Executive Board Member of the International Olympic Committee, to Minister TEO Chee Hean, President of the Singapore National Olympic Council and Chris Chan, Secretary General of the SNOC.

The donation is the expression of a committed partnership of more than 17 years between leading worldwide sports organizations and Daimler AG, which is represented in more than 200 countries. In Singapore, Daimler's activities have been established since decades. The most significant and recognized brand of Daimler, Mercedes-Benz, has always enjoyed a loyal customer base. Other business fields, such as financial services and a regional logistics hub and regional IT-function also contribute to the prominence of Daimler's business presence in Singapore and Asia.

As a company with a global presence, Daimler has much in common with the IOC. Both partners stand for fair and open competition, friendship, intercultural dialog and the willingness to perform. Just like the Olympic movement, Daimler also supports team spirit, discipline and a competitive attitude.

In handing over the Mercedes Benz Vito, Dr Rainer Thiel elaborated: "With this partnership, we are not only showing that we promote sports, but that we are a company that also acts in a responsible manner.

This partnership is not limited to sports alone - it also encompasses joint efforts in social and cultural areas. With our Mercedes-Benz vans, we are pleased to be able to make a practical contribution by providing mobility and bringing young people together."

The 8 - seat Mercedes Benz Vito will facilitate the transport of young Singapore athletes between the training locations as well as to competitions in Singapore and the region.

For the Singapore National Olympic Council, mobility of athletes and officials is very important. As its President, Minister TEO Chee Hean explained: "Olympic Sports in Singapore has improved enormously in recent years, which recent achievements showed. By hosting world class sports events, e.g. the first Asian Youth Games in 2009 and the first Olympic Youth Games in 2010, we will support the Olympic sports spirit also as an organizer. The Mercedes-Benz van comes in very useful as it will help to support mobility of our athletes, officials and staff."

Since 1996, Daimler AG has provided more than one hundred Mercedes-Benz minibuses to National Olympic Committees in all five continents.

The IOC is also convinced of the cooperation with Daimler. "We are very pleased with this long and proven cooperation. It is much more than sponsoring. For the IOC it is really a strategic partnership - a close association," IOC Executive Board Member Ng Ser Miang explained.

The main emphasis of the long-term cooperation is the planning and development of joint projects as well as supporting social and humanitarian interests all around the globe.

Since 1998, so called "OlympAfrica Centers" have arisen in twelve African countries. Especially in Africa and Asia, Daimler AG supports the construction of sports and training centers for children and young people. Since then, these exemplary projects have been expanded to "OlympAsia" and "OlympOceania".

Credits: JRC