Copenhagen - The International Olympic Committee is on course towards breaking the 1-billion-dollar mark in sponsorship income for the 2010 and 2012 Games, IOC marketing chief Gerhard Heiberg said on Thursday.

Heiberg told the IOC Session in his report that talks stalled due to the worldwide recession, but that they have now resumed with more deals possible before the Vancouver Winter Games in February 2010.

The 2012 Summer Olympics are in London.

The IOC has so far raked in 883 million dollars from the so-called TOP programme, already a record beating the 866 million dollars from 2005-2008 with the 2006 and 2008 Games.

The TOP sponsors are given exclusive rights at the Games and can use symbols such as the Olympic rings.

The 2009-2012 programme has nine sponsors on board and Heiberg said that talks are underway with three additional sponsors.

"I hope we can still reach our goal of 1 billion dollars in Vancouver," Heiberg said.

"Things are developing in the right direction when it comes to the TOP programme. Number 10, 11 and 12 could be added before the Vancouver Games."

Acer, Atos Origin, Coca-Cola, General Electric, McDonald's, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa are the confirmed sponsors for the 2009-2012 period.

Atos, Panasonic and Samsung will remain on board 2013-2016 while Coca-Cola and Omega have renewed their deals until 2020.

IOC president Jacques Rogge said on Wednesday that the IOC has already secured 563 million dollars for 2013-2016, with "more in the pipeline".

Sponsorship deals and even bigger sums from the sale of TV rights are the main sources of income for the IOC which according to Rogge has assets of 455 million as of August 2009.

Income could further rise if the IOC gives the rich sports of golf and rugby sevens the nod on Friday for inclusion in the 2016 Games. (dpa)