OREANDA-NEWS. On 13 March 2009 was announced, that Mr. Maris Mancinskis, CEO of Swedbank in Latvia, signed a four years co-operation agreement with Mr. Aldonis Vrubпevskis, President of the Latvian Olympic Committee. The agreement provided for continuation of the so far successful co-operation in the field of support to the Latvian Olympic Movement.

The axes of co-operation provide for support to the sport development programmes designed by the Latvian Olympic Committee with special focus on the preparatory programme for the Olympic Games, Youth Programme of the Olympic Movement, and Regional Development Programme of the Latvian Olympic Committee. Swedbank will financially facilitate participation of the Latvian Olympic team in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and their participation also in the Olympic Games in London (2012).

Mr. Maris Mancinskis, CEO of Swedbank in Latvia, emphasizes: “In order to facilitate development in the long run, it is important to promote good ideas and to ensure continuity of the already existing processes especially in the field of culture and sports. Through co-operation with the Latvian Olympic Committee we can both help the athletes whose performance is inspiring and enhance favourable environment for daily public sport activities.”

Mr. Aldonis Vrublevskis, President of the Latvian Olympic Committee, in his turn, thanked Swedbank for the long-standing support and said that “entering into the agreement for the period of four years demonstrates that the bank highly appreciates the Olympic Movement and Latvian sportsmen and sportswomen, as well as it demonstrates the trust in further development of sports and future achievements.”

After signing of the agreement, the President of the Latvian Olympic Committee presented to the CEO of Swedbank a bobsleigh helmet which will be used in the Vancouver Winter Olympics and expressed his hope that support provided by Swedbank would facilitate high quality performance in the Olympics in Canada next year.

In 2001, Swedbank (then Hansabanka) and the Latvian Olympic Committee commenced close co-operation for the support of sports and the Olympic Movement which is targeted both at high-profile sportsmen and sportswomen and those who are still awaiting their big successes.

Over the last four years (2004 – 2008) Swedbank has supported several projects of high importance for the Latvian Olympic Committee like participation in the Olympic Games in the Athens (2004), Turin (2006) and Beijing (2008), as well as participation in various Latvian and European Youth Olympics for school-age children.

During this period of time also projects like competition The Most Sporty Class, Prize of the Year in Sports, the Olympic Day and a project Posture Practical Lessons during the Schooling Hours developed by Ms. Inese Jaunzeme, President of the Club of Latvian Olympians, have found their feet among the sports events in Latvia.