MAM
Coke extends deal for Olympics till 2020
MUMBAI: The one partnership that has sustained the modern Olympic Movement more than any other has been further extended. Coca-Cola has extended its sponsorship for the most prestigious sports event The Olympics till 2020.
The deal was signed a couple of days ago in Beijing which will host the 2008 Summer Games. The agreement starts in 2009 and covers the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, the 2012 Summer Games in London and the games of 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020.
Under the deal, Coca Cola has the sole right to advertise itself as the official soft drink of the Olympic Gamesduring the Olympic games through 2020. The company retains exclusive marketing rights in the nonalcoholic drinks category and can use the Olympic symbols and mascots in its promotions.
In turn, the company has agreed to provide cash and products to support participating athletes and teams. Coca Cola said it is 1 of the longest-continuous supporters of the worldwide games.
Media reports further indicate that Coca-Cola has also targetted Beijing as its Chinese selling epicenter for the next 10 years. On average, Beijingers consume 66 bottles each of Coca-Cola every year. At present, 250 bottles and 1,100 tins of Coca-Cola are produced in Beijing every minute.
This latest renewal of the most-enduring partnership in the history of the Olympic Games begins in 2009 and lengthens the role of Coca-Cola as Official Soft Drink of the Olympic Games through 2020.
The deal also effectively extends the partnership of Coca-Cola and the Olympic Movement – a relationship that began in 1928 – to 92 years without interruption.
On hand at the signing of the deal as representatives of Olympic champions and Olympic Games hopefuls around the world, were Jean-Claude Killy, three-time Olympic Games gold medalist from France and member of the IOC; and young Chinese diver Wu Min Xia, who captured a gold medal and a silver medal at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
The announcement ceremony and subsequent dinner at the Great Wall also capped a special congress of Coca-Cola bottling partners from around the world. All attendees were invited to sign their names, as witnesses, to a ceremonial document signifying the renewed partnership of Coca-Cola and the IOC.
The agreement was celebrated as China marks three years to go until the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Ceremony guests included leadership from both the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad and the upcoming Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games, which take place February 10-26 in Italy.
International Olympic Committee president Jacques was quoted in an official release saying, “The contribution of Coca-Cola to the Olympic movement has always been the model of a true partnership. The Olympic Games would not be where they are today, and so many athletes over the years could not have competed in the Games, without the extensive corporate support pioneered by Coca-Cola as our longest continuous sponsor.
“Because the Olympic Family and Coca-Cola share the values of Olympism at their deepest level, this is a natural partnership that we hold most dearly” .
Coca Cola chairman and CEO E. Neville Isdell. said, “The privilege of being associated with the Olympic Movement for nearly a century is reflected in this landmark agreement. Our investment in the future of the Olympic Games underscores our faith in the Games and how they continue to make our world a little bit better.
“This long-term commitment comes at a time when those of us throughout the Coca-Cola system are rededicating ourselves to the Olympic spirit. It is important we share those values and live Olympic in our everyday lives, not just celebrate the Olympic ideal every two or four years.”
While the terms of the sponsorship were not disclosed the cost of worldwide sponsorships for the Olympics is said to be upwards of $60 million for each four-year cycle. Coke is the fifth company to join the International Olympic Committee’s global sponsorship programme called Top for 2010 and 2012. The others are Visa, McDonald’s, Atos Origin and General Electric.
MAM
Worldwide Travel Insurance for Indian Travellers: How to Find a Plan Without Geographic Gaps in Your Protection
Travelling to more than one country can make insurance selection more complex, because a policy that looks broad at first may still leave certain destinations, transit points, or regions outside its scope. For Indian travellers, this can lead to gaps in cover during a medical emergency or travel disruption abroad.
Here’s a guide to understanding how worldwide coverage works, which plan types to review, and how to check for geographic exclusions before choosing a policy.
Why Geographic Coverage Matters in Travel Insurance
When travellers look for the best travel insurance, medical cover and premium often get early attention, but geographic scope matters just as much. A policy may appear broad while still limiting cover in certain countries, regions, or travel routes.
This can affect hospital access, emergency support, evacuation terms, and non-medical benefits. For Indian travellers visiting more than one destination, checking where the policy applies is an important way to avoid gaps in protection.
Types of Worldwide Travel Insurance Plans Available to Indians
Worldwide travel insurance may be available in different formats, and each one should be reviewed based on the route, trip pattern, and list of destinations.
Single-Trip Travel Insurance
This type of policy is generally chosen for one overseas journey with fixed departure and return dates. It may suit travellers visiting one country or more than one destination during the same trip. The policy still needs to be checked carefully to confirm whether every destination on the itinerary is covered during the full travel period.
Multi-Trip Annual Insurance
This type of plan may be suitable for travellers who visit different countries several times a year. It can be useful only when the policy’s covered regions match the countries included across those trips. Before choosing it, travellers should check trip duration limits, region-wise exclusions, and whether all intended destinations are covered under the annual plan.
Region-Specific Plans
Some policies are built for selected regions rather than for the whole world. These plans may be arranged by destination groups such as Asia, Europe, or broader international zones. They may be suitable in some cases, but they should be reviewed carefully if the journey includes stopovers, connecting countries, or travel beyond the listed region.
Comprehensive Worldwide Plans
These plans are usually reviewed by travellers who want broader international cover across multiple destinations. However, a plan described as worldwide may still have country-wise limits, separate terms for certain regions, or limits on healthcare access and emergency services. The wording should therefore be checked in detail before relying on the description alone.
Key Coverage Areas That Ensure Global Protection
A worldwide policy should be reviewed for the coverage points that matter when travel includes more than one country or a wider international route. These areas help show whether the plan is suitable for broader overseas travel and not limited to only a few listed destinations.
● Cover that applies to all countries listed in the itinerary, not only the main destination.
● Cover for transit stops and connecting countries that are part of the planned journey.
● Clear mention of excluded countries, restricted regions, or destinations not covered under the policy.
● Emergency medical and assistance support that remains available while travelling across different countries.
● Evacuation and repatriation terms that continue to apply during multi-country travel.
How to Check for Geographic Exclusions Before Buying
Geographic exclusions are often found in the detailed wording rather than in the headline promise of the plan. A careful review before purchase can help travellers understand whether the policy matches their travel route.
● Check the destination list in the policy schedule.
● Read whether excluded countries, sanctioned regions, or restricted zones are mentioned in the wording.
● Review whether transit stops and connecting destinations are mentioned as covered travel locations.
● Check if medical network access differs across countries even when the policy appears globally valid.
● Read whether adventure activities, cruises, or remote locations have separate geographic conditions.
● Review assistance and claim support terms to see if they apply equally across all covered destinations.
Conclusion
A travel insurance plan cannot be judged only by premium, destination label, or the word worldwide term alone. For Indian travellers, geographic scope needs close attention because exclusions and regional limits may affect how the policy works during the journey. A careful review of plan type, covered locations, medical support, and destination-specific terms may help reduce avoidable gaps.
