TAIWAN: Computer manufacturer Acer has been announced as one of the official sponsors of the London 2012 Olympic Games after reaching an agreement with the International Olympic Committee.

Alongside the London summer games, the company will be the worldwide partner for the computing hardware category of the next winter Olympics, in Vancouver in 2010.

Its predecessor, Chinese giant Lenovo, also announced yesterday that it will end its sponsorship of the Olympics after Beijing hosts the event next year.

Acer ceo J T Wang said: "The universality of the Olympic Games will exercise a strong influence on us, as it will contribute to gathering people together beyond prejudices and in full respect of diversity."

Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Visa and Kodak are among the IOC's other major partners.

Data sourced from Brand Republic (UK); additional content by WARC staff