Paul Hamm

Even though U.S. gymnast Paul Hamm pulled out of the Beijing Games last week, he hasn’t been forgotten by his key sponsors. Visa has developed a 30-second spot and a Web film starring Hamm, and he’s also a key part of the TOP sponsor’s “Go World” Web presentation.

All commercial spots are expected to run as planned online; apparently they weren’t definitely set for over-the-air TV. And Visa’s “Go World” video won’t be altered, either.

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Visa issued a statement to SBJ about Hamm’s role going forward: “Paul Hamm is a great Olympic champion and a wonderful ambassador for Visa and USA Gymnastics. We share in his disappointment that this injury will prevent him from competing in Beijing, but we continue to support him as a long-standing member of our Team Visa program.”

There had been talk that Hamm would be in Beijing after the men’s gymnastics competition as many of his sponsors sought him for hospitality purposes. But his agent, Sheryl Shade, said Monday that he will stay stateside to prepare for the post-Olympic gymnastics tour.

Along with Visa, Hamm also has deals with Johnson & Johnson, Chevron, Hilton, Adidas, GK Elite Sportswear and the American Dairy Association for its “Got Milk?” campaign.

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Johnson & Johnson will open its pavilion and its Caring World exhibit Wednesday morning on the Olympic Green. The highlight: an historic display of the famous Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors.

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The IOC will launch an online channel to broadcast the Beijing Games in 77 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, including India, Korea, Iran and Iraq. The channel will be available on YouTube at www.youtube.com/beijing2008, and will be accessible in countries where digital VOD rights have not been sold or have been acquired on a nonexclusive basis. The package will include event highlights and news clips.

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Media members received a goodie bag from BOCOG organizers that included some thoughtful products from TOP sponsor Johnson & Johnson: mosquito repellent, hand sanitizer and sun block. No deodorant, however. Drats.

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NBC will air the Opening Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Friday instead of 8 p.m., the network announced today. “After seeing two dress rehearsals in the last week, it’s clear that this Opening Ceremony is simply spectacular and we’re thrilled to be able to add an extra half-hour,” said David Neal, NBC Sports executive producer.