Qantas scored 44 percent recognition as an Olympic sponsor in a survey by research firm Roy Morgan, against only 27 percent for official sponsor Ansett Airways.
The survey, of more than 2,000 Australians over age 14, was carried out in August, as Qantas was reaping the benefit of its sponsorship of the Pan Pacific swimming championships at the Sydney Olympic pool.
Qantas' recognition rate was up six points from the 38 percent recorded in July, while Ansett's rate was flat.
Among other Olympic sponsors, Australian telecoms group Telstra Corp Ltd was the most successful, with a 55 percent recognition rate, closely followed by McDonalds and Coca-Cola, both at 50 percent.
Finance giant AMP Ltd was recognised as an Olympic sponsor by 46 percent of those surveyed.
Official bank sponsor Westpac Banking Corp was recognised by 25 percent of those surveyed, only two points ahead of non-sponsor, the Commonwealth Bank .
In a statement, Morgan said only 18 percent of those surveyed recognised IBM as the official information technology supplier for the Games. Photographic sponsor Kodak received 28 percent recognition.
Morgan said sportswear giant Nike beat Adidas by 22 percent to 18 percent - even though there is no official sportswear sponsor for the Games.
The survey also showed overall interest in the Games steady at 63 percent. Swimming is by far the most popular sport or event among potential television viewers, followed by the opening ceremony, gymnastics and athletics.
Reuters
