BBC to televise Olympia for the next four years

The BBC has confirmed a four agreement to cover Olympia, The London International Horse Show — giving equestrianism in the UK a massive boost.

Olympia show director, Simon Brooks-Ward said: “This is a significant new agreement both for Olympia and equestrianism in general.

“The BBC and Olympia have had a long-standing relationship and I am delighted that through the BBC, viewers will be able to see the best international show jumpers in the world performing at Olympia.”

The contract will run from 2008 – 2011 with the BBC committed to cover the Rolex FEI World Cup show jumping qualifier — which attracted 1.8 million viewers last year.

Michael Cole, deputy editor at BBC Sport, said: “Olympia is always a fantastic show and something our viewers have come to love watching before Christmas, so we are delighted to put our backing behind it for the next four years.

“As well as being a great entertainment spectacle, we see Olympia as one of many important sporting occasions on the lead up to the 2012 Olympics in London.”

Olympia runs from Tuesday 16 December to Monday 22 December 2008.

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