Nov. 3, 1999
The clock is ticking away every day to finance the billion dollar plus 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
Gateway Computers jumped on board today--another sign the fallout from the bribery scandal is fading.
With 1,000 employees screaming as if they were at the Opening Ceremonies, Gateway jumps on board the Olympic bobsled.
The country's leading seller of consumer PCs is now the official 2002 computer hardware sponsor.
Gateway takes over as the technology partner from longtime sponsor IBM--providing more than 5000 computers for event results, statistics and standings--used by officials, athletes, coaches, spectators and the media.
John Daley/Eyewitness News: "OLYMPIC ORGANIZERS SAY THIS SPONSORSHIP IS A BIG DEAL. IT MEANS A GREAT DEAL TO THEIR BOTTOM LINE AND SEEMS TO BE A SIGN THAT CORPORATE AMERICA BELIEVES THE OLYMPIC BRIBERY SCANDAL IS A THING OF THE PAST."
The Gateway sponsorship brings in at least $20-million.
With cuts and other new sponsor money--organizers are now less than $160 million away from being in the black--roughly half the amount they needed a year ago.
The past six months: organizers have raised $100 million.
The past three months: NO new charges in the bribery scandal.
Asked if the controversy made them think twice about 2002, Gateway President Jeff Weitzen says no, it was not a factor at all.
Mitt Romney/SLOC President: "OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS, I'VE CALLED ON 30 DIFFERENT COMPANIES AND I ONLY RECALL ONE EVER MENTIONING WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST. PEOPLE ARE FOCUSED ON THE GAMES. I JUST DON'T THINK THAT'S AN ISSUE."
