Carlos Slim’s América Móvil Lands Olympic Broadcast Rights

LAUSANNE: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has granted the broadcast rights for the 2014 XXII Olympic Winter Games and the 2016 Games of the XXXI Olympiad to América Móvil for Latin America.

The company, backed by billionaire investor Carlos Slim, has the rights across all media platforms for the region. The deal encompasses the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and the Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Richard Carrión, IOC’s finance commission chairman, said, “We are delighted to have reached this agreement with América Móvil which is a new partner for the IOC. They demonstrated a clear passion for the Olympic values and are excited about the Games coming to Latin America in 2016. The IOC negotiates broadcast rights on behalf of the Olympic Movement, and we believe this is a great deal for our stakeholders. The agreement ensures there will continue to be free Olympic Games television coverage across Latin America, but also allows viewers the choice of following the action on other media platforms as well.”

Arturo Elías Ayub, Telmex’s strategic alliances VP, added: “We are extremely pleased with this successful agreement of América Móvil with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Olympic Games will be broadcast on all media platforms across Latin America, supporting the global transmission through new technologies, helping millions of people in Latin America to have access to the biggest international sporting event. We share the Olympic ideals and look forward to working together with the IOC.”