China's largest computer maker Lenovo has joined the International Olympic Committee or IOC to become an official business partner of the Olympic Games.

Lenovo will provide the IOC with US$65 million and become major supplier of IT equipment for the Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy, in 2006 and the Summer Olympics in Beijing in 2008.

In return, Lenovo can use the logo of IOC's worldwide partners to promote its brand and sales in the global market during its four-year tenure.

The move ends foreign brands' monopoly of the business giants' club of worldwide sponsorship for the international sporting events.

(CRI March 9, 2004)