PYEONGCHANG, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Marie Sallois-Dembreville, Director of IOC Corporate Development, Brand and Sustainability, said on Friday that if one looks at the programmes IOC have accomplished, the Olympic brand is really alive everyday of the year, in every corner of the world.
"Thanks to the funds raised by the Games, we can reinvest 3.4 million USD every day of the year in the development of sport." Marie Sallois explained that the Olympic Movement is active all year long in 206 territories, and not only supports athletes on and out the fields of play, but promotes sport and Olympic values towards young people.
"We support National Olympic Committees in various ways, such as the Olympic Value Education Programme, the Olympic Day Celebration with a strong involvement of the NOCs, and the Olympic Solidarity Programme to help those with greatest needs," she said.
When asked how the Olympic Games has changed in the last 15 years, Marie Sallois noted that the crucial change was a new mindset for the IOC's strategy, by putting sustainability, creditability and youth at the heart of the Olympics. "To remain relevant with the younger generation," she said, "the IOC has created partnerships with sponsors such as Intel and Alibaba to leverage digital revolution, and launched the Olympic Channel as part of this strategy".
She continued:"Regarding sustainability, we aim at becoming a role model. The new IOC headquarters in Lausanne will reach the highest sustainability standards, both locally and internationally". "The building will open next year," she added.
To promote the Olympic brand and heritage, the annual Olympic Expo launched by the Samaranch Foundation in 2017 has received great support from the IOC. Marie Sallois felt that the theme of the 2018 Expo: "Twice Olympic City" is a perfect timing." It celebrates the 10th anniversary of 2008 Beijing and looks both into the future and past at the same time", she said.
"It's extraordinary to have the four upcoming Games: Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022, Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028, which have hosted or are all going to host the Olympic Games at least twice," she said.
"It is an incredible opportunity to promote further legacy while looking into the future." she added.
Marie Sallois finished by quoting the French writer Victor Hugo:"the future is a door, and the past is its key".
