Park said on the occasion, "Samsung has a history of global sports sponsorships and being the wireless communications partner to the 2000 Olympic Games, we wanted to bring home the Olympic programme and message of human happiness and world peace to our Indian consumers as well. The sponsorship amount of Rs 15 lakh being given to the Indian Olympic Association will go towards supporting the expenses of the Indian team as it prepares for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. In addition, we will carry out other Olympics related activities campaigns based on the Olympics theme and Olympics related marketing programmes in India."

Kalmadi said, "It's a chance for corporates to come forward to sponsor the teams. There should be at least 30 corporates sponsoring the 30 Olympic teams." He added that the Indian Olympic Federation had signed an MoU with CII for providing infrastructure.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, the parent company of Samsung India Electronics Ltd, intends investing US$ 200 million across 40 countries to leverage its worldwide partner sponsorship of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. In addition to the Indian Olympic Association, Samsung Electronics is supporting the National Olympic Committees of USA, China, Brazil, Indonesia and Israel as well.

For the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Samsung will provide 25,000 of its latest digital mobile communications products, including mobile phones, together with technical experts in its capacity as the official wireless communications equipment partner. Samsung Electronics has announced the commencement of work on the Olympic Rendezvous @ Samsung (OR@S), a 4,000 square metre, high-tech, entertainment complex being constructed near the main stadium within the Sydney Olympic Park.

Expected to attract around 17,000 people per day, OR@S will be a central gathering place and landmark for athletes and spectators during the Olympics. Due to open on September 15, 2000, OR@S is being built for hospitality, entertainment, information, communication and special athlete presentation events. For the competing athletes and their families, the emphasis will be on privacy and relaxation with access to special facilities; visitors will be able to take advantage of free phone calls, international festivities and futuristic technology. Its features will include refreshments, Internet access, information services, live broadcast of the games and free `Share The Moment' mobile phone calls to anywhere in the world.

The OR Plaza will be an open area where the public will be able to congregate for daily entertainment, Olympic Games memorabilia auctions and to support their National Olympic Teams. A main stage with a large screen will run live broadcasts and will be the focal point for international entertainment and daily athlete appearances. A media centre too is being set up here.