The agreement was signed by the mining firm's Mongolian director David Paterson and MNOC President Zagdsuren at a ceremony attended by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge who was visiting Mongolia for the special occasion.

"We are sponsoring the National Olympic Team as part of our long-term commitment to Mongolia and Oyu Tolgoi," said Paterson.

"Rio Tinto wants to play its part in giving Mongolia's medal winning athletes the best possible chance to succeed at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London next year."

Rio Tinto are a domestic Tier Three sponsor of the London 2012 Games as the Official Mining and Metals Provider meaning that the metal used to produce the 4,700 gold, silver and bronze medals to be awarded in the English capital will be mined at Rio Tinto's Kennecott Utah Copper Mine near Salt Lake City in America and from the Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia.

"The country should be proud knowing that metal mined from Oyu Tolgoi will be used in the making of the Olympic and Paralympic medals, which are enduring symbols of achievement," added Paterson.


The Beijing 2008 Olympics were Mongolia's most successful Games ever, with judoka Naidangiin Tüvshinbayar (pictured) claiming the country's first Olympic gold medal, taking the total medal haul to two gold and two silver medals.

MNOC president Zagdsuren said: "We are proud to have Rio Tinto as our Olympic Gold Partner in Mongolia.

"Your sponsorship will give Mongolian athletes vital support in their goal of achieving success in 2012.

"In addition to backing our elite athletes, Rio Tinto's commitment between now and the Olympic and Paralympic Games next year, will also inspire and encourage young Mongolians to get more involved in sport and be our Olympians of tomorrow."

Rio Tinto also supplied the metals for Olympic and Paralympic Games at the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Games, while their involvement in the Games also includes its partner level sponsorship of the 2012 Australian Olympic team.

The medals that will be awarded at the London 2012 Olympics were unveiled to the public in Trafalgar Square last month, with each medal weighing between 375 and 400g, being 85mm in diameter and 7mm in thickness.

The gold medal is made up of 92.5 per cent silver, 1.34 per cent gold with the remainder copper.

There is a minimum of 6g of gold, as stipulated by the IOC.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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