London 2012 Sponsorship In Focus At Launch of Coubertin Olympic Awards – 2nd Year

Sept. 21, 2010 - PRLog -- A high-level panel of London 2012 organisers and sponsors will explore the commercial and ethical aspects of Olympic sponsorship to mark the launch of the second year of the Coubertin Olympic Awards on 5 October 2010 at Cass Business School.

Keith Mills, Deputy Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) will be joined by key sponsors of London 2012, including Nicolas Petrovic, CEO of Eurostar; Peter Mather, Regional Vice President, Europe and UK Country Head at BP and Philippe Huet, Chief Officer, Organisation, People and Brand, EDF Energy, in a wide-ranging exploration of how the modern Olympic Games can balance high ideals and big business.

The event is organised by the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee (CIPC) and the Institute of Business Ethics (IBE) as a part of the Coubertin Olympic Awards, a student essay competition aiming to promote how the Olympic movement ideals can be applied to today’s business practices.

Philippa Foster Back OBE, Director of the IBE, who will also participate in the panel discussion, said: “With less than two years to go before London hosts the world’s largest sporting event, it is important to remember that the Olympic Games are not just about money. Our panellists will explain how sponsorship can be a two way street, and how they are keeping the Olympic spirit alive despite the commercial pressures surrounding the Games.”

Also joining the panel will be Dikaia Chatziefstathiou, Senior Lecturer in Sociology of Sport and Leisure at Canterbury Christchurch University and a member of the CIPC and Professor Paul Palmer, Associate Dean of Cass Business School who will chair the discussion. The event will be preceded by a ceremony for the winners of the first essay competition of the Coubertin Olympic Awards who will receive a prize of £2,000. Prizes will be presented to the winners and runners up by Antoine de Navacelle, CIPC Executive Board member.

To attend the event, please email: events@coubertin-awards.org.uk

For information on how to enter the Coubertin Olympic Awards essay competition please visit: www.coubertin-awards.org.uk

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About the Coubertin Olympic Awards
The Coubertin Olympic Awards are an annual student essay competition aiming to promote the application of Olympic ideals to the world of business, including the business of sport itself. The co-promoters are the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee and the Institute of Business Ethics, under the Patronage of HRH The Princess Royal, and the Awards are recognised by LOCOG under the “Inspire” programme. The Awards are sponsored by EDF Energy, BP and Eurostar.
www.coubertin-awards.org.uk