Lenovo launches global Olympic Philanthropic auction in India

Mumbai, Feb 25 (UNI) Global computer major Lenovo, the worldwide partner of the Olympic Torch relay and top sponsor of the Olympic Games, today launched the first of three online auctions, to be held in India, as part of a global online Olympic Philanthropic auction to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Just as the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch relay will travel around the world, a new Lenovo auction will begin each week in a different country, as a countdown to the Olympic Games. The auction features limited-edition, notebook PCs inspired by the Lenovo-designed Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch, according to a company release here.

Lenovo recently announced additional torch relay components with the same 'Cloud of Promise' theme, including the lantern, that will carry the flame around the world and the cauldron lit at the end of the relay day, in each city.

Starting from midnight tonight, over the next ten days, a Cloud of Promise-themed notebook PC will be available for bidding at 'www.lenovohopefundauctions.com'. The limited-edition notebook PC offers the Olympic fans the opportunity to bid and own a part of Olympic history.

The auction site will close on midnight of March 6. The remaining two auctions in India will begin on May 6 and July 29 respectively, the release said.

One hundred per cent of the proceeds from the auction will be distributed through the Lenovo Hope Fund to select philanthropies, including Right to Play. In the spirit of Lenovo's sponsorship of the Olympic Games, the proceeds will be utilised to concentrate on microfinance, small- and medium-enterprise development and bringing sports to communities of children.

Lenovo senior vice-president (E-Commerce) and Chief Marketing Officer Deepak Advani said ''We are thrilled to offer fans the unique opportunity to own these one-of-a-kind Olympic torch themed notebook PCs. Just as our technology helps bridge the physical gaps among different parts of the world, Lenovo's goal is to do the same through social investments. In the Olympic spirit of internationalism and cooperation, it is fitting that these Olympic torch-themed notebook PCs should benefit worthy causes.'' The global auction will take place in Japan, Australia, UK, France, Russia, USA, Hong Kong, Argentina, China, India, Brazil and Canada.

In the final week leading up to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, 12 notebook PCs, one from each of the participating countries, will be auctioned to conclude the programme. A total of 36 limited edition Lenovo notebook PCs are being auctioned around the world.

Each bidder will be directed to a country-specific listing, where they will find additional information about the notebook PC and bidding process. Bidders will be pre-qualified to bid in US dollars through Kompolt, an on-line auction agency focused on creating successful high-value, high-profile promotional and charity auctions. Due to export restrictions and policies, the Olympic torch-themed notebook PCs may only be purchased for use in India, the release added.

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