3M: a 2010 corporate sponsor

London Free Press, September 11, 2008

London, Ontario-based 3M Canada will wrap Canada in Olympic spirit leading up to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.
The company's headquarters on Tartan Drive and the plant on OxfordStreet East are wrapped in Olympic graphics, some towering more than 10metres tall.
At a launch ceremonyyesterday, the company celebrated its selection as the official largeformat graphics supplier for the games.
The huge graphics weredesigned by 3M and mounted on a flexible film material with the help ofInternational Name Plate Supplies, a London firm.
The graphics feature Olympics sports and British Columbia scenery.

Jim McSheffrey, 3M Canada president, said the giant graphics would give the company high visibility at the Games.
'This has a big 'wow' factor. It's our product, our technology and it's very impressive,' said McSheffrey.
During the summer, the graphics were wrapped around three British Columbia ferries.
Leading up to the games, the Olympic graphics will be installed on thebuildings of 48 corporate sponsors and suppliers across Canada. Thegraphics also will be displayed on building and vehicles at Olympicvenues.
Terry Wright of the Vancouver Olympic Committee said the 3M graphics will be crucial to 'dressing up' the Olympic site.
'It serves as the first impression to our visitors and athletes. Itforms the backdrop for competition and celebrations,' said Wright.
Nathalie Lambert, athree-time Olympic medalist in short-track speed skating, told thegathering the 2010 Olympics will be Canada's chance to shine.
'Every day will be aninspiring story. For 16 days we will be the centre of the world,' saidLambert, who is the Chef de Mission for the Vancouver Games.
Another former Olympiccompetitor is now one of 3M's 1,000 employees in London. Richard Bella,who grew up in the Central African Republic, was a member of hiscountry's basketball team in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.
Bella said he never dreamed of competing in the Olympics while growing up in his small, impoverished homeland.
He came to Canada when he was recruited to play basketball for St.Francis Xavier University and helped lead the team to a nationalchampionship.
He said the Canadian Olympic team will have a great spirit going into the Games.
'You cannot buy spirit, desire, passion and commitment,' said Bella.
'That comes from within.'