From TechCrunch:

Sohu paid 30 million dollars back in 2005 to create the official 2008 Olympics' website, and now claims exclusive rights to all internet advertising for it as well. The Beijing International Olympic Committee has yet to process their claim, but the original article from AFP reveals some insider views:

"Zeng says he should know. He worked for Sohu.com as business department director before defecting to Tom.Com two years ago. One of his projects at Sohu.com was the Olympic deal.

'The claim about exclusivity on advertising has no basis... It would be like saying that all Olympic sponsors in the US would have to put their TV ads on NBC.'"

Thanks to Adaptive Path's Dan Harrelson for the tip.