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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced an extension to its current partnership with Visa Inc. through to 2020, including the XXII Olympic Winter Games (2014) in Sochi, Russia; the Games of the XXXI Olympiad (2016) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; the XXIII Olympic Winter Games (2018); and the Games of the XXXII Olympiad (2020).

The announcement was made at a signing ceremony held today in Moscow, Russia, which was attended by Jacques Rogge, IOC President; Rupert Keeley, Group President, Visa Inc.; and Dmitry Chernyshenko, President and CEO of Sochi 2014.

In 1986, Visa became one of the founding members of the Worldwide TOP Partner programme. The announcement means Visa will continue as the exclusive payment services sponsor for the Olympic Games and the only card accepted through to 2020.

IOC President Jacques Rogge said: "Our partnership with Visa demonstrates a shared commitment ∓ to the future of youth and sport, to the future of the Olympic Games and to the strengthening of the Olympic ideals and values we respect. On behalf of the IOC, the 205 National Olympic Committees around the world, and the athletes themselves, I would like to thank Visa, its clients and partners for their commitment through to the 2020 Olympic Games."

Gerhard Heiberg, Chairman of the IOC Marketing Commission, said: "The staging of the Olympic Games, as well as the operations of the Olympic Movement as a whole, would not be possible without the support of our TOP Partners, and we are delighted that Visa will continue to be a key partner for the Olympic Movement. As an organisation, Visa is a leader not only in the world of global payment technology, but also in its support for sports events and athletes around the world."

Joseph Saunders, CEO and President, Visa Inc., said: "The Olympic Games transcend political and geographical boundaries to deliver incomparable international exposure and broad-based audience interest appealing to virtually every demographic. They stand as one of the premier sporting and cultural events in the world and we are delighted to extend our sponsorship through to 2020."

(Source: IOC)