NEW YORK (Reuters) - Japan's Bridgestone Corp has gone from a rookie Olympic sponsor to a model for fan participation following their Fan Zone at the Olympic Golf Course for the 2016 Rio Games and will try to help other federations do likewise. "The (International Olympic Committee) were thrilled and asked us to work with them to try to help to further them in other sports as a model for other federations." Golf had previously not been on the Olympic program since 1904, and Brazilians were largely unfamiliar with the sport. "The focus was to try and educate the Brazilian population that really knows nothing about golf. The Fan Zone had putting areas, a long drive simulator and a closest to the pin simulator at three different bays, with local Brazilian professionals offering lessons to fans.

Source: The Star March 21, 2017 19:07 UTC