THE iconic Olympic Sports Hotel in Kuala Lumpur has shed its demure image for a more youthful, contemporary look since its reopening earlier this month.
The hotel, which shares the same premises as the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) headquarters at Jalan Hang Jebat, is now run by a new operator — Vinters Hotels Sdn Bhd.
The latter, which manages a collection of boutique hotels across Malaysia, has extensively renovated the hotel section of the building.
OCM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria said the umbrella body, as landlord, will benefit from the 93-room hotel's reopening.
"I am pleased to announce that the hotel has been open for business again since Aug 1.
"It was closed for renovations from the third quarter of last year," said Norza, after the OCM executive board meeting yesterday.
"We are the building owner but since hotels are not our core business, we have outsourced the operation of the hotel (to Vinters). They have a long lease with us and pay us a monthly rental fee.
"Basically, they paid for the cost of renovations, we only put in money for (renovations) of common facilities such as the lift and electrical wiring.
"Of course OCM and its affiliates will enjoy big discounts with this hotel.
"We will also try to market the hotel so that the operator is also able to make some money after what they have paid us in rent."
On a separate note, OCM have appointed Nicholas Chan as National Olympic Academy (NOA) director, replacing Datuk Dr. S. Shamala.
Nicholas is an alumnus of NOA, which is part of an education module to enhance the Olympic moment in Malaysia through various programmes.
Meanwhile, Norza disclosed that Yonex's deal as apparel sponsor for the national contingent, which was set to end this year, has been extended for another year until the conclusion of the Tokyo Olympics.
Apparel sponsorship deals with the national contingent typically run for an Olympic cycle (four years).
Norza also disclosed that a one-on-one workshop will be held with national sports associations to gain their feedback on sending young athletes to the Hanoi Sea Games as well as future editions of the Malaysia Games.