Source: Mining Australia, Sports Promo Media

Rio Tinto PLC, which manages the Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mine, is sponsoring two Mongolian athletes for the Olympics.

The miner is helping to fund training, travel, and other costs for L. Purevjargal, a judo champion, and G. Mandakhnaran, a free style wrestler, as they prepare for the London 2012 Olympics. Rio Tinto has been working as a partner for the Mongolian National Olympic Committee, and is also providing the metal used in the medals awarded during the 2012 Olympics. Some of the metal will originate from the Oyu Tolgoi mine.

“This is a wonderful gesture and I am glad that Rio Tinto is such an enthusiastic and visible supporter of Mongolian sporting ambition,” said Mandakhnaran. “Winning a medal is my biggest ambition and winning one containing Mongolian metal would be an added bonus.”

The two deals come on top of the 'gold partner' agreement Rio Tinto signed with the Mongolian National Olympic Committee in August last year. Cameron McRae, Rio Tinto's Mongolia's country director and president of Oyu Tolgoi LLC, said he wished the two luck and hopes they come back with some medals.

Almost exactly a year ago, Mongolia informed the International Olympics Committee of its intention to bid for the 2040 Olympic Games.