The companies "interested in sponsoring" the Madrid 2020 Olympics bid will have until Aug. 31 to apply, according to MADRIDIARIO.es. The companies will also get the benefit of fiscal advantages. The sponsorship plan was presented by Madrid Mayor Ana Botella. There are four possible packages for companies to choose from: partner for €800,000 ($966,720), preferred sponsor for €400,000 ($483,360), official sponsor for €200,000 ($241,680) and collaborator for €50,000 ($60,420). The total budget for the bid amounts to €31M ($37.5M). It is expected that €11M ($13.3M) will come from municipal contribution and €18M ($21.8M) from companies. So far €7M ($8.5M) of the €18M needed from companies has "already been committed" (MADRIDIARIO.es, 7/22). ABC's M. Rodríguez noted that Accenture, PricewaterhouseCoopers and La Caixa "are some of the companies that have showed constant and continuous support" for the bid (ABC, 7/20). Madrid 2020 bid President Alejandro Blanco said, "We count with great support both from government and private institutions. Spain is a country where bad news premiums today, but we have the best companies, which are leaders in their business, and we need to encourage all the positive things that this country has." Sports Secretary of State Miguel Cardenal emphasized the support of the main Spanish companies for the Olympic project. Cardenal: "We are all together in this road: sports and political authorities, entrepreneurs, and the whole of the Spanish society are willing to achieve the dream of hosting and enjoying the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Madrid" (Madrid 2020).
