22 –Gerhard Heiberg, IOC Marketing Chair
Heiberg is busy working to fill in the TOP sponsorships through Rio 2016 and beyond, negotiations that are taking time to yield rewards against the backdrop of the global recession. Talks are underway to secure a 12th sponsor for the 2014/2016 quadrennial.
After GE's extension of its TOP partnership through 2020 in the summer, talks have been taking place to conclude similar deals with Acer and McDonald’s.GE, Coca-Cola, Dow Chemical, Omega, P&G and Visa are already signed on as the IOC's global partners through 2020.
Heiberg is confident of getting Acer to renew through those Games too. In 2012, he is also aiming to bring London 2012 and Rio 2016 partners Samsung and Panasonic on board for 2020. The other TOP sponsor, Atos Origin, is on board through 2016.
Heiberg says a number of companies are keen to extend their IOC partnerships beyond 2020. But the IOC is in no rush to secure sponsorships too far ahead in an economic climate that does not favor lucrative dealmaking.
Also in Heiberg's inbox for the coming year is launching a review of the TOP program in consultation with colleagues and IOC sponsors. Changes may be considered after 2020 to freshen up the sponsorship format that by then will have been in existence for 35 years. Heiberg says the IOC could spend several years on this review if necessary.
Heiberg is also a key figure in the IOC's ongoing revenue-sharing talks with the U.S. Olympic Committee. The next round of discussions with USOC chairman Larry Probst (#24 in Golden 25) and CEO Scott Blackmun are scheduled to take place during the Youth Olympic Games inJanuary.
Heiberg, 72, joined the IOC in 1994 after serving as president and CEO of the Lillehammer Winter Games.
Last year's ranking: 23
23– Sam Ramsamy, Sr. African IOC Member
The South African sports leader is now the ranking IOC member from Africa, the most recognized voice from the continent, especially sub-Sahara.
Ramsamy is in the final two years as a member of the ExecutiveBoard, his second consecutive term. He joined the IOC in 1995 and at age 73, he still has seven years to retirement.
He chairs the Sport for All Commission and is a member of the Program Commission, now in the midst of shaping the sports lineup for the 2020 Games. Ramsamy is also active in the leadership of FINA, leading the press commission for the aquatics federation.
As South Africa moves toward an Olympic bid in the 2020s, Ramsamy is expected to play a role within the country and the IOC to boost a properly timed try for the Games.
Last year's ranking: 21
Click here for more about ATR's Golden 25 and here to view the Golden 25 for past years.
Written by Ed Hula and Mark Bisson.
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