The London Organising Committee for the 2012 Olympic Games has announced British Airways as the fourth Tier One sponsor of the London Games.

British Airways will be the official airline partner of the games and will join other Tier One sponsors, EDF Energy, Lloyds TSB and Adidas.

British Airways will have the marketing rights to the London 2012 Games and will also be providing flights for athletes to the Beijing Olympics this summer and to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

The deal was annonced at Terminal 5 of Heathrow airport, and will also require British Airways to provide support for volunteer training as well as a travel bursary scheme for aspiring athletes.

Willie Walsh, Chief Executive of British Airways, said, British Airways is a natural partner for London 2012 and we are proud to become part of the team that makes the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games a success.

As one of Britain's most high profile and iconic brands, it is right that we should sponsor the Games in our home city. We supported London's bid in 2005 and we will be proud to welcome the world to London when the global spotlight falls on the UK in 2012.

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