Beijing-Bound

ITT Sponsors China National Kayaking Team

With ITT's assistance, the China kayaking team continues to make rapid progress -- and "rapids" progress -- as it prepares for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. 

From September 1, 2006 through December 31, 2008, ITT will serve as sponsor of China's National Kayaking Team as it prepares for the upcoming Games. With our financial assistance, the team will be able to upgrade its equipment and improve the training opportunities for the country's kayakers.

The whitewater team, which won its first gold medal at the 2004 Games in Athens, expects to do even better in Beijing with the backing of a home-country crowd and big-time support from ITT. 

"As the 2008 Olympic Games approach, Chinese kayaking athletes are making active preparations for further breakthrough in the sport," says Wei Di, chairman of the Chinese Canoe Association.

The sponsorship makes sense for ITT on a number of levels. With 10 manufacturing plants and 6,500 employees in China, our company has a significant presence in the country and is focused on helping China address the very real issues it faces with both water scarcity and cleanliness.

We are currently working on a number of water and wastewater projects throughout China, including the Three Gorges Dam, the Yellow River Hydropower Station, wastewater treatment plants in numerous big cities, and the Suzhou Creek restoration project. In addition, ITT pumps are an integral part of the kayaking course now being constructed in Shunyi Olympic Water Park for the 2008 Games.

The sponsorship sends the message that ITT is committed to this country -- not just as an employer, manufacturer, seller and water leader, but as a good corporate citizen.

By signing on to sponsor the China National Kayaking Team, ITT hopes to help build on the momentum created when Meng Guanliang (bottom photo) won the country’s first kayaking gold medal at the 2005 Games in Athens.