Beijing, China and Century City, California, October 15, 2002 – The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (Beijing Organizing Committee) announced that it has
selected the law firm of Morrison & Foerster LLP as its international legal counsel for the 2008 Summer Games to be held in
Beijing.
The Department of Legal Affairs of Beijing Organizing Committee remarked: "The 2008 Games are the first Games that will be
held in China. We feel a great responsibility to the people of China and to the world to make this a successful Olympics.
Although the Games will be held in China, they are still an international event, involving numerous organizations, sponsors
and individuals from around the world. Our selection of international legal counsel for the 2008 Games reflects our desire
to handle the legal affairs of the Beijing Games at the highest standards of international legal practice."
Morrison & Foerster will assist the Beijing Organizing Committee with a range of legal advice arising from the requirements
of preparing for and hosting the 2008 Summer Games, including legal counsel related to marketing, media, the protection of
intellectual property, venue construction, procurement, entertainment, technology and other related matters.
Keith Wetmore, Morrison & Foerster's Chair stated: "We are honored to be chosen by the Beijing Organizing Committee as international
legal counsel, particularly in light of the rigorous selection process that the Beijing Organizing Committee instituted for
candidate firms. We understand the importance of the 2008 Games to Beijing and China and look forward to working closely with
the committee members to assist them with their vision to create a wonderful and successful 2008 Beijing Olympics."
On July 13, 2001, Beijing won the opportunity to host the Olympic Games to be held in the summer of 2008. The announcement
was made at the 112th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Moscow. The IOC has praised China, a country with the
one of the fastest growing economies and the largest population in the world, for their expeditious activity as they begin
the extraordinary task of preparing for and hosting the 2008 Summer Games. The Beijing Organizing Committee, which was formed
soon after the city won its bid, is composed of leading officials from the Beijing Municipal Government, the State Sports
General Administration of China and the Chinese Olympic Committee as well as the Chinese IOC members and athlete representative.
Morrison & Foerster is a leading international law firm and has approximately 1,000 lawyers in 18 offices in key technology
and finance centers around the world. The firm has its roots in the San Francisco Bay Area and has had a significant presence
in the Asian technology and finance community for over 20 years.
