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IOC AND INTEL ANNOUNCE WORLDWIDE TOP PARTNERSHIP THROUGH TO 2024On 21 June, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) launched a long-term technology partnership at an official signing ceremony in New York (USA) with IOC President Thomas Bach and Intel CEO Brian Krzanich. Intel joins The Olympic Partner (TOP) worldwide sponsorship programme and will become a Worldwide TOP Partner until 2024, working with the IOC to reimagine and transform the future of the Olympic Games with new levels of fan interaction through leading-edge technology.“Thanks to our new innovative global partnership with Intel, fans in the stadium, athletes and audiences around the world will soon experience the magic of the Olympic Games in completely new ways,” said President Bach.Intel will focus primarily on infusing its 5G platforms, virtual reality (VR), 3D and 360 content development platforms, artificial intelligence platforms and drones, along with other silicon solutions to enhance the Games. The first activation will take place at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, where Intel technology will provide real-time VR viewing of the action.Krzanich added: “We are excited to join the Olympic Movement and integrate Intel’s innovative technologies to enhance the Olympics Games experience for fans around the world. Through this close collaboration with the Olympic family, we will accelerate the adoption of technology for the future of sports on the world’s largest athletic stage.”In September at the IOC Session in Lima (Peru), former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (pictured) was elected as chair of the IOC Ethics Commission, replacing Youssoupha Ndiaye.Mr Ban was the eighth UN Secretary-General, serving from January 2007 to December 2016. During his time in office he committed the UN to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, accountability and transparency. One of Mr Ban’s first actions was to introduce a code of ethics for the organisation, which was applied to all employees, while he also oversaw the creation of an Ethics Committee in order to devise “a unified set of standards and policies” for the UN.As a strong proponent of expanding the role of sport to address global challenges, Mr Ban also oversaw the inclusion of “sport as an important enabler” in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. He said: “The UN and the IOC have had a close working relationship over many years with both organisations contributing to building a peaceful and better world. By adhering closely to the principles of the Olympic Movement, I will do my best to enhance the accountability and transparency of the IOC.”Left Intel CEO Brian Krzanich at the official signing ceremony BAN KI-MOON ELECTED AS CHAIR OF IOC ETHICS COMMISSION12 OLYMPIC REVIEW