For each participant who test drives a vehicle at one of the 276 BMW Drive for Team USA events due to be held across the country during the next two months, BMW of North America will donate $10 (£6) to Team USA, up to a maximum donation of $200,000 (£123,000).

Funds raised help fund the training of American athletes for next year's Games.

BMW is the official mobility partner of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) as well as a Tier One sponsor of London 2012 and a major backer of Munich's bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. 

BMW Drive for Team USA events will feature Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls, and other members of the Olympic community.

"At BMW we understand what it takes to deliver high performance and appreciate the extraordinary personal commitment required of elite athletes hoping to compete on the world's stage," said Dan Creed, vice-president of marketing for BMW of North America.

"BMW Drive for Team USA allows us to do exactly what we have pledged from day one: help raise awareness and additional funds for the Olympic Movement, especially in non-Olympic years."

Event participants will also have the opportunity to cast their vote to select one of the members of the BMW Performance Team, an elite team of Olympic and Paralympic athletes who hope to compete at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

A complete roster of BMW Performance Team athletes will be announced this summer.

BMW signed its $24 million (£16 million) deal with the USOC last June at a special attended by double Olympic gold medallist Apolo Ohno (pictured). 


"This innovative fundraising campaign is a clear demonstration of BMW's deep commitment to supporting the training and preparation of Team USA," said Lisa Baird, the USOC chief marketing office.

"By giving the American public the opportunity to support America's athletes through the Drive for Team USA events, BMW engages fans and consumers and empowers them to make an impact on the success of the US Olympic and Paralympic team."

To help support the campaign, BMW has also launched an Olympic-themed integrated marketing campaign including radio, print, out-of-home and digital advertising as well as a national television commercial.

The commercial "Runners" features a soundtrack by French musicians Daft Punk and showcases Olympic track and field athletes and hopefuls Jeremy Wariner, Shawn Crawford, Sanya Richards-Ross and Me'Lisa Barber and encourages viewers to lend their support to Team USA by participating in local BMW Drive for Team USA events.

Taking inspiration from holographic technology, each runner appears as a different color of the Olympic rings while running alongside black BMW vehicles.

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