It seems that the suggestion that golf should appear in the 2012 Olympics has not pleased everyone.
It is reported that whilst the Royal and Ancient Club (R&A), which is the world governing body for golf aside from the USA, is backing the bid; the European and US PGA tours are opposing the bid.
It seems that there are issues over scheduling.
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Friday, September 24, 2004
Hands In The Till, Surely Not?
It seems that there is something of a row going on, over the handling of the finances of the Athens Olympics.
Aside from massivley overspending, current estimates put the total costs at around $12BN, there are now accusations about the honesty of the bookeeping.
An audit report issued this week has caused the Athens Games chief, Gianna Angelopoulos, to state that the report into the 2001 accounts does not give an accurate picture.
Angelopoulos is quoted as saying that every euro would be accounted for.
The audit report claims that the Games organising committee (ATHOC) did not follow proper hiring procedures, awarded tenders without signing contracts and had several thousand euros in unaccounted payments. As an experienced fraud investigator, I can say that these are very serious control weaknesses; which would not be tolerated in a listed, reputable comapny.
It seems that the charges include the following:
Angelopoulos has said that all unaccounted expenses would come out of the salaries of the relevant employees.
The audit reports for the years ending 2002, 2003 and 2004 will make very interesting reading.
Aside from massivley overspending, current estimates put the total costs at around $12BN, there are now accusations about the honesty of the bookeeping.
An audit report issued this week has caused the Athens Games chief, Gianna Angelopoulos, to state that the report into the 2001 accounts does not give an accurate picture.
Angelopoulos is quoted as saying that every euro would be accounted for.
The audit report claims that the Games organising committee (ATHOC) did not follow proper hiring procedures, awarded tenders without signing contracts and had several thousand euros in unaccounted payments. As an experienced fraud investigator, I can say that these are very serious control weaknesses; which would not be tolerated in a listed, reputable comapny.
It seems that the charges include the following:
- Large sums were spent on receptions and out of town expenses
- 39 of the 41 directors and general directors were hired by bending local labour laws offering large salaries, and awarding considerable compensation for employees who resigned and were not eligible for payment
- Payments were made of about 4,000 euros for flowers sent to ATHOC itself, and several hospitals.
Angelopoulos has said that all unaccounted expenses would come out of the salaries of the relevant employees.
The audit reports for the years ending 2002, 2003 and 2004 will make very interesting reading.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
No Limits
It seems that there are no limits as to what the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are prepared to consider as a sport for inclusion in the Games.
It is reported that golf, rugby, squash, karate and roller sports are all being considered for inclusion in the 2012 Olympics.
The IOC has notified the governing bodies of these 5 sports that they will be "studied further", for possible inclusion.
This is part of a review of the 28 sports used in the Athens Olympics. Changes made will not become effective until the 2012 Games.
However, any new "sport" included in the 2012 Games will be at the expense of another already in the Games; which will be dropped to make way for the new one.
The IOC has sent out a questionnaire to all 28 of the Olympic sports federations, plus the 5 "wanabees".
Those fans of bowling, ball room dancing!, chess and bridge will be disappointed to know that they are not on the list for possible inclusion.
Basket weaving anyone?
It is reported that golf, rugby, squash, karate and roller sports are all being considered for inclusion in the 2012 Olympics.
The IOC has notified the governing bodies of these 5 sports that they will be "studied further", for possible inclusion.
This is part of a review of the 28 sports used in the Athens Olympics. Changes made will not become effective until the 2012 Games.
However, any new "sport" included in the 2012 Games will be at the expense of another already in the Games; which will be dropped to make way for the new one.
The IOC has sent out a questionnaire to all 28 of the Olympic sports federations, plus the 5 "wanabees".
Those fans of bowling, ball room dancing!, chess and bridge will be disappointed to know that they are not on the list for possible inclusion.
Basket weaving anyone?
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Tick Tock
The countdown to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing has started.
Jiang Xiaoyu, vice-president of the Beijing organising committee for the games, unveiled a countdown timer yesterday in Tiananmen Square.
The Games, known as the humanitarian Olympics, are scheduled to start on the 8th of August 2008.
Less than 1,417 days to go!
Jiang Xiaoyu, vice-president of the Beijing organising committee for the games, unveiled a countdown timer yesterday in Tiananmen Square.
The Games, known as the humanitarian Olympics, are scheduled to start on the 8th of August 2008.
Less than 1,417 days to go!
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Breed All About It
China is leaving nothing to chance, as it prepares for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Ping Ping, the polar bear, is leaving his home in Sea World on the Gold Coast; and returning to his original home at the Beijing Zoo.
Ping Ping must do his duty for his country, and breed; it's a tough life!
The Chinese feel that the zoo needs to have an injection of youth, and vitality, in time for the Games; what better way than to have a few new polar bear cubs?
Ping Ping, the polar bear, is leaving his home in Sea World on the Gold Coast; and returning to his original home at the Beijing Zoo.
Ping Ping must do his duty for his country, and breed; it's a tough life!
The Chinese feel that the zoo needs to have an injection of youth, and vitality, in time for the Games; what better way than to have a few new polar bear cubs?
Monday, September 20, 2004
Peasants' Revolt
The planning for London’s bid for the 2012 Games may be going smoothly, in terms of the planning applications. However, there are problems on the community relations front.
People living in the East of London, where the some of the Games will be held, are more than a little sceptical about the benefits of playing host to this bloated circus in their area.
They are still smarting from the Dome fiasco, which had promised a cornucopia of untold wealth and opportunities for those in the area. The reality was somewhat different; no extra jobs, and massive disruption caused by the construction of the country’s largest white elephant.
This time the residents of East London are not going to be so easily swayed. In fact, in order to make their point, they are threatening to hold demonstrations against the Olympics when the IOC inspection committee come to town next year.
Needless to say, the thought of a “peasant revolt” has caused Tony and his cronies some sleepless nights; Tony does not like to be embarrassed in front of the media. Therefore the London Olympic bid team have employed “community liaison” people, armed with pro forma answers to awkward questions, to try to keep the “peasants” in line.
However, I suspect that the residents have the upper hand; they wont settle for sweet promises without guarantees.
Power to the People!
A map of the sites for the proposed 2012 Games can be viewed here click map.
People living in the East of London, where the some of the Games will be held, are more than a little sceptical about the benefits of playing host to this bloated circus in their area.
They are still smarting from the Dome fiasco, which had promised a cornucopia of untold wealth and opportunities for those in the area. The reality was somewhat different; no extra jobs, and massive disruption caused by the construction of the country’s largest white elephant.
This time the residents of East London are not going to be so easily swayed. In fact, in order to make their point, they are threatening to hold demonstrations against the Olympics when the IOC inspection committee come to town next year.
Needless to say, the thought of a “peasant revolt” has caused Tony and his cronies some sleepless nights; Tony does not like to be embarrassed in front of the media. Therefore the London Olympic bid team have employed “community liaison” people, armed with pro forma answers to awkward questions, to try to keep the “peasants” in line.
However, I suspect that the residents have the upper hand; they wont settle for sweet promises without guarantees.
Power to the People!
A map of the sites for the proposed 2012 Games can be viewed here click map.
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Dirty Voting
Those of you who think that the voting for the host city for the 2012 Olympics is based purely on economic, and infrastructure, considerations are deluding yourselves.
The reality is that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is dominated by Europeans; the leading European city in the race is Paris, the leading non European city is New York.
It is known that if a European city wins the bidding for 2012 then, in order to appear fair and unbiased, the 2016 Games will not be held in a European city. This causes a few problems for some of the European members of the IOC.
Milan, Budapest, Prague, Lisbon and Berlin have all shown interest in bidding for the 2016 Games. They know that a vote for Paris will stop their chances of winning the 2016 bid, therefore they will not vote for Paris.
Grubby business, isn't it?
The reality is that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is dominated by Europeans; the leading European city in the race is Paris, the leading non European city is New York.
It is known that if a European city wins the bidding for 2012 then, in order to appear fair and unbiased, the 2016 Games will not be held in a European city. This causes a few problems for some of the European members of the IOC.
Milan, Budapest, Prague, Lisbon and Berlin have all shown interest in bidding for the 2016 Games. They know that a vote for Paris will stop their chances of winning the 2016 bid, therefore they will not vote for Paris.
Grubby business, isn't it?
Scotland's Parliament, A lesson To Be Learned
The debacle over the Scottish parliament raises issues beyond Scotland.
The parliament building, which was recently opened at Holyrood, was budgeted to cost around £40M; instead the costs ballooned to over £400M, spectacular incompetence by anybody's standards.
This confirms what has long been known by people with half a brain, politicians and governments in the UK are incapable of managing construction and investment projects.
The same inept and incompetent politicians are now trying to convince the British public, and the International Olympic Committee, that the infrastructure necessary to hold the 2012 Olympic Games will be in place, on budget and on time.
Don't fall for it, they know not what they say!
The parliament building, which was recently opened at Holyrood, was budgeted to cost around £40M; instead the costs ballooned to over £400M, spectacular incompetence by anybody's standards.
This confirms what has long been known by people with half a brain, politicians and governments in the UK are incapable of managing construction and investment projects.
The same inept and incompetent politicians are now trying to convince the British public, and the International Olympic Committee, that the infrastructure necessary to hold the 2012 Olympic Games will be in place, on budget and on time.
Don't fall for it, they know not what they say!
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