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Hilton Worldwide Named as the First Multinational Hotel Company to Sponsor Chinese Olympic Committee

"We are honored to have Hilton Worldwide's loyalty program as our official hotel sponsor of the Chinese Olympic Committee," said Mr. Yang Shuan, Vice President, Chinese Olympic Committee. "The level of competitive sports in China has reached a new height, and having a partner like Hilton Worldwide will help foster athlete development and further promote the Olympic Movement."

Hilton Worldwide's involvement with the Chinese Olympic Committee will not only include resources, but also its renowned hospitality. The company will welcome athletes, fans and Chinese Olympic Committee members at each of its hotels throughout China, all of which will have the chance to support the partnership in unique and engaging ways. Specifically, Hilton HHonors will provide financial support, Hilton HHonors points, renovations at athlete training sites, hospitality services for athletes and their families at the China House during each of the Olympic Games, and discounted hotel accommodations for athletes and their families. Additionally, Chinese Olympic Committee members and Olympic athletes will be given Hilton HHonors Gold Elite membership.

"We are honored to partner with the Chinese Olympic Committee and become the first multinational hotel company to sponsor Team China," said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and chief executive officer, Hilton Worldwide. "Our eight year sponsorship of the Chinese Olympic Committee underscores our commitment to the people of China, and the Olympic Movement, and gives our guests an opportunity to enjoy the Games wherever they are in the world."

The Chinese Olympic Committee and Hilton Worldwide officially announced its partnership with a Signing Ceremony attended by Chinese Olympic Committee members, Team China Olympic athletes, Hilton Worldwide senior executives, and other distinguished guests.

Hosted at the iconic Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, Olympic Gold Medalists Yang Yang and Tao Luna were joined by athletes from the Trampoline Gymnastics and Fencing teams to answer questions. Further promoting the Olympic spirit, while commencing "target practice" inside the hotel's Shanghai Club Ballroom, an archer's shot landed a bulls-eye and ignited a series of paper fireworks. This not only created excitement amongst the crowd, but officially ushered in the partnership with a bang.

"Hilton Worldwide is proud to support the Chinese Olympic Committee and its athletes as they aspire to compete and achieve personal success on the world stage," said Paul Brown, president, brands and commercial services, Hilton Worldwide. "For our guests and team members, this partnership is a source of pride and an exciting opportunity to keep them inspired, connected and close to the Olympic Spirit and Olympic Games."

About Hilton HHonors

Hilton HHonors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide's ten distinct hotel brands, honors its 28 million members by allowing them to turn earned points into experiences worth sharing. In addition to redeeming HHonors points for complimentary hotel stays, HHonors members can use points to purchase unique experience rewards, merchandise and vacation packages, make charitable contributions, and more. HHonors is also the only guest-loyalty program to offer 'Points & Miles' and 'No Blackout Dates' at more than 3,750 hotels worldwide, including participating Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. Membership in HHonors is free, and travelers may enroll online by visiting HiltonHHonors.com.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 92 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,750 hotels and 615,000 rooms in 84 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors. For more information about the company, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.

About Chinese Olympic Committee

The Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) is a non-governmental, non-profit national sports organization of a mass character, with the objective of developing sports and promoting the Olympic Movement in the country. It represents China in handling international affairs related to the Olympic Movement. It is the sole representative of the whole country's Olympic Movement in its relations with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and other international sports organizations, as well as all National Olympic Committees (NOCs).

The first Chinese sports organization was founded as early as October 1910, and recognized by the IOC in 1922. In May 1954, not long after the founding of the People's Republic of China, the IOC recognized the All-China Sports Federation (Chinese Olympic Committee) at the 49th IOC Session held in Athens. In 1956, however, the IOC allowed the Taiwan authorities to send a team to the 16th Olympic Games. The All-China Sports Federation protested against the "two Chinas" plot fabricated by the IOC leader. In August 1958, the COC severed all its relations with the IOC. It was not until November 26, 1979 that, with a resolution adopted by all IOC members, the COC's legal status was reinstated in the IOC, while the Olympic Committee in Taipei was allowed to remain in the IOC under the name of "the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee."

Hilton Worldwide
Scott Carman, +1 (703) 883-5803
scott.carman@hilton.com
www.HHonorsGlobalMediaCenter.com