The Hindu Business Line : Corporate bigwigs to join sportsmen in Olympic Torch relay

AWAY from the board room, corporate honchos, Mr Peter Mukerjea of Star India, Mr Rajan Mittal of Bharti Enterprises, Mr Raghu Pillai of RPG Group, and Mr K.S. Kim of Samsung, would be joining eminent sporting personalities such as rifle shooter Anjali Bhagwat, cricketer Rahul Dravid, weight lifter Karnam Malleswari, and tennis player Mahesh Bhupati, as they carry the Olympic Torch across the streets of the Capital tomorrow.

And they seem as excited as others. "I think the Olympic experience is all about sharing," Mr K.S. Kim, President & CEO, Samsung South West Asia Regional Headquarters and MD-Samsung India, said.

Coca-Cola, which has been associated with the event for the last 76 years says that this is part of the companies corporate governance plan. The cola company's spokesperson said, "The event is an inspiration to youngsters."

As sponsor of the Global Olympic Torch Relay, Samsung along with the Delhi Government and the Indian Olympic Association have selected the 105 torch-bearers, who will carry the Olympic Torch. Added Mr Kim, "The Olympic Torch is a powerful symbol of the ideals behind the Olympic Games: peace, participation and the power of the human spirit."

Interestingly both the sponsors have their celebrity endorsers participating in the relay. From Team Samsung, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Irfan Pathan would be participating, while Aishwarya Rai, Vivek Oberoi and Aamir Khan who are ambassadors for Coke would be the front-runners.

Though analysts see this as a brand building opportunity for the sponsors, the Coke spokesperson denied this and said, "These are national figures who are hard working and successful in their own fields."

The Olympic Torch, which left Greece on March 25 is travelling around the world for 35 days visiting 33 cities across 26 countries.