On 10 November, IOC President Coventry visited TCL, an Olympic Global Partner, and met with Li Dongsheng, Founder and Chairman of TCL. Both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on strategic cooperation in areas including event support for the Milan Winter Olympics and global promotion of the Olympic Movement. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding and subsequently unveiled the TCL & Olympic Rings installation together. Attendees included IOC Executive Board Member Li Lingwei, IOC Member ZhangHong, TCL Technology COO Wang Cheng, TCL Technology CTO and Director of TCL Industrial Research Institute Yan Xiaolin, and TCL Technology Vice President, Head of ESG Office, and Chairperson of TCL Public Welfare Foundation Wei Xue.
As the sole Olympic Global Partner within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, TCL also became the first Chinese enterprise visited by Coventry following her appointment as IOC President. On 9 November, Coventry attended the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games, marking her inaugural visit to China since assuming the IOC presidency.
Deepening the Partnership Role
The Olympic Global Partner programme represents the highest tier of partnership with the International Olympic Committee, also known as the ‘TOP Programme’. Currently, only 12 enterprises hold Olympic Global Partner status, including three Chinese companies (Alibaba, Mengniu and TCL).
Amidst the global wave of technological innovation and green transformation, the IOC requires deeper partners aligned with its priorities in cutting-edge technologies, artificial intelligence, and ESG more than ever. TCL and the IOC possess extensive scope for collaboration across these domains.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, both parties will engage in comprehensive strategic collaboration across Olympic events including the Milan Winter Olympics and Los Angeles Olympics. This encompasses leveraging TCL's cutting-edge technologies and products to empower the Olympic Games, significantly enhancing the competitive experience for athletes and the viewing experience for global audiences. It also involves pioneering the implementation of advanced technologies during Olympic events to accelerate their industrialisation and deliver benefits to users worldwide.
The signing of this MoU signifies that the IOC and TCL will continue to expand their cooperation beyond existing foundations, exploring new models for Olympic Global Partner collaboration. TCL will enhance the Olympic viewing experience and support athletes and the Olympic cause through both technological and humanistic dimensions, helping to build a more interconnected future.
Technology + Community Empowering the Milan Winter Olympics
With less than 100 days remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, this inaugural major Olympic event under President Coventry's tenure will mark the first Games jointly embraced by Coventry and TCL. The partners will engage in comprehensive collaboration to co-create an Olympic spectacle seamlessly integrating technology and community.
Leveraging its expertise in display technologies including Mini LED, quantum dot, printed OLED, and Micro LED, TCL will supply a range of cutting-edge display products to create an ‘Olympic Screen Universe’. These products encompass large-screen high-definition televisions, LED screens, digital signage, and AR/AI glasses, which will be deployed across competition venues, broadcast centres, the Athletes' 365 Home in the Olympic Village, and the media zone in the Olympic Village Plaza.
Furthermore, TCL aims to empower athletes through technology, creating an intelligent Olympic experience. The company will supply the Olympic Village with diverse smart appliances including televisions, air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines. Additionally, TCL's smart TVs will support the Milan Winter Olympics' ‘Athletes' Moments’ initiative, enabling competitors — including Team TCL — to connect with loved ones and share their experiences immediately after events.
Advancing the Olympics Globally
As the most globalised Chinese enterprise among the current Olympic Global Partners, TCL generates nearly half its revenue overseas. Its comprehensive global infrastructure and footprint can propel the Olympic Games towards a more balanced and diverse future.
Since venturing overseas in 1999, TCL has undergone 26 yearsof global expansion, forming two industrial groups: TCL Industries and TCL Technology. Its operations span over 160 countries and regions, with sales networks covering more than 80 countries and regions, achieving global leadership in key product sectors. In 2024, TCL ranked second globally in television sales with 29 million units, while its Mini LED TV shipments led the world. TCL CSOT leads globally in market share for gaming displays, LTPS notebooks, and LTPS tablets; TCL Zhonghuan Photovoltaic dominates the global silicon wafer market.
During this summer's Davos Forum, Li Dongsheng proposed ‘rebuilding five TCLs overseas,’ establishing operational centres in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East/Africa. These centres will gradually solidify into entities bearing operational responsibilities, taking root and growing locally. ‘TCL will deepen its local roots and collaborate with the Olympics to foster shared development in more emerging markets,’ stated Li Dongsheng.
Moving forward, TCL will actively expand strategic partnerships with the International Olympic Committee and National Olympic Committees. Leveraging its global resources and platforms, TCL will support the dissemination of the Olympic spirit, youth sports development, and Paralympic initiatives. This will integrate with its proprietary brand IPs (TCLforHer,TCLGreen, TCLArt, TCLYoung) to focus on youth and women's empowerment, environmental sustainability and artistic accessibility. Together, we will create Olympic-themed activities to contribute to the advancement of the Olympic Movement.
Contributed by | TCL Brand Management Centre
