By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

June 18 - BP will show next week that they remain committed to their £50 million ($72 million) sponsorship of the Olympics and Paralympics despite their recent problems when they launch plans for this year's London 2012 Open Weekend 2010.



Huge doubts have been raised over their continued backing of the Games following the oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico which killed 11 people and caused the worst environmental disaster in the United States history.
 
The incident and BP's subsequent reaction has attracted fierce criticism from politicians in the United States, led by President Barack Obama.

After meeting Obama at the White House earlier this week the company has agreed to put aside $20 billion (£13.5 billion) to compensate victims of the oil spill and has cancelled dividend payments this year.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has warned that the oil giant might face "annihilation" as a result of the fall-out of the oil disaster.

But Peter Mather, BP's regional vice-president of Europe and head of the UK, will join London 2012 Sebastian Coe at a press conference in central London on Monday (June 21)  to announce plans for this year's Open Weekend, which BP backed as part of the Tier One sponsorship deal they signed two years ago.

This year's Open Weekend will take place between July 23 and 25 and will mark the start of the countdown to two years to go to the Olympic Games.

It will will feature hundreds of sporting, arts and culture events across the UK.

Earlier this week Coe offered his support to BP, calling them a "valued and trusted partner".

He added: "They clearly have a big issue to deal with and are dealing with it as a world class company.

"Ours is a very strong relationship and I am delighted they are with us."

BP became a top-tier sponsor of the 2012 Olympic Games in a glittering ceremony at the British Museum in July 2008.

Coe said: "Our relationship with BP goes back beyond the bidding process.

"They have been very supportive during the bidding process.

"This is a world-class company that has come to the table to help us deliver an extraordinary Games.

"They are creative and smart."

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