Press Releases
Visa Olympians Reunion Center Opens in Torino, Italy
IOC President Jacques Rogge Welcomes Fellow OlympiansTORINO, ITALY, 11 February 2006
Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Pál Schmitt, President of the World Olympians Association, and five-time Olympian, HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, officially opened the Visa Olympians Reunion Center, "The Most Exclusive Club in Town," Thursday evening and invited all Olympians from past Games in Italy to enjoy its ongoing hospitality during their visits to the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games.
In his speech at the grand opening of the Center, Jacques Rogge noted, "I would like to commend Visa for the great support they are giving the Olympic Movement through the Visa Olympians Reunion Center. Visa's support makes it possible for us to help, train, equip and send athletes from across the world to the Olympic Games."
The Center was founded through a partnership between the IOC, the WOA and Visa - its founding partner, a decade ago. It is located in the historic Armida Rowing Club, on the banks of the River Po in Valentino Park. The Armida Rowing Club was founded 135 years ago and has played host to numerous national and international rowing regattas.
"The VORC is one of the great success stories of our Olympic sponsorship over the last 10 years," said Tom Shepard, executive vice president of Global Sponsorship and Partnerships, Visa International. "Since the concept was first introduced in Atlanta in 1996, the VORC has grown to become the venue for Olympians from Games past. Visa is extremely proud to continue providing an environment that recognises the contribution of those who have made the Games what they are today. Not all are famous, but all are welcome"
The Visa Olympians Reunion Center provides Olympians with an on-site meeting place at the Olympic Winter Games, including live TV feeds of events, email access, refreshments, and assistance with special reunion functions. In Torino, the Visa Olympians Reunion Center will host Olympians from past Games, offering them a place to socialize, recall fond memories, and relax while following the sports events on the TV screens. It will be open from 12 noon to midnight throughout the Games.
During the grand opening Prince Albert said, "It is a great pleasure to be at the inauguration of the Visa Olympians Reunion Center. All Olympians here know that the Center has a very important place at the Games. This is a wonderful place for Olympians to meet friends of all generations and contribute to the Olympic Movement of today and tomorrow."
Visa developed the Olympians Reunion Center concept in recognition of all the contributions Olympic athletes have made during the modern Olympic Games' first century. The Reunion Center was first developed by Visa for the 1996 Games in Atlanta and served again in Sydney, Salt Lake City, and Athens to enhance the Games' experience for all visiting Olympians from past Games. More than 10,000 Olympians and their guests have visited the center over the past ten years.
Olympians are invited to register for the Visa Olympians Reunion Center, either in person or online at the World Olympians Association website at www.woaolympians.com , where they will be updated on the facility and other activities of the World Olympians Association.
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Notes to editors:
About Visa: Visa connects cardholders, merchants and financial institutions through the world's largest electronic payments network. Visa products allow buyers and sellers to conduct commerce with ease and confidence in both the physical and virtual worlds. As an association owned by 21,000 member financial institutions, Visa is committed to the sustained growth of electronic payment systems to support the needs of all stakeholders and to drive economic growth. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.
Contact: Mike Sherman, Visa International, Tel.: 39 011 8818009 or mobile 39 011 334 1172502 at globalmedia@visa.com