Beijing is taking no chances in respect of security for the 2008 Olympic Games.
200 sharpshooters of the Beijing public security organisations took part in a shooting competition in Xihongmen, for their chance to safeguard the 2008 Olympics.
The competition will last a month, and is being held to choose top sharpshooters for a special police force which will be established for the Beijing Olympics.
Out of the 200, 10 will be awarded to be top sharpshooters and 20 others will acquire the titles of excellent sharpshooters.
The 30 sharpshooters will then join the special police force.
The competition includes tasks such as rescuing hostages and defusing bombs.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Cost Of Athens Olympics Keeps Rising
It seems that, despite the fact that the Athens Olympics ended a year ago, the costs just keep rising.
The Games, seen as the most expensive ever, are now expected to top £9BN.
It seems that many items, spent by local authorities, were simply excluded from the original budget. Doubtless this was done deliberately by the then government, so as to ensure that they got an "easy ride" from the opposition.
The new costs, just submitted by local councils, were not in Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis' estimate last year.
The games have left Greece with a hefty budget deficit of 6.1% of gross domestic product in 2004, breaching the European Union's cap of 3%.
EU finance ministers have given Greece a 2006 deadline to bring its deficit to below the EU limit.
In other words, hosting the Games have totally screwed up the economy.
I wonder if the good people of Greece still feel that the Games were worth it?
The Games, seen as the most expensive ever, are now expected to top £9BN.
It seems that many items, spent by local authorities, were simply excluded from the original budget. Doubtless this was done deliberately by the then government, so as to ensure that they got an "easy ride" from the opposition.
The new costs, just submitted by local councils, were not in Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis' estimate last year.
The games have left Greece with a hefty budget deficit of 6.1% of gross domestic product in 2004, breaching the European Union's cap of 3%.
EU finance ministers have given Greece a 2006 deadline to bring its deficit to below the EU limit.
In other words, hosting the Games have totally screwed up the economy.
I wonder if the good people of Greece still feel that the Games were worth it?
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Coke Extends Sponsorship
Coca-Cola has extended its Olympic sponsorship for a 12 year stretch up to 2020.
The deal was signed Monday in a ceremony at the Great Wall in Beijing, which will host the 2008 Summer Games.
The agreement starts in 2009 and covers the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, the 2012 Summer Games in London and the games of 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020.
Coke is the Olympics' longest-serving sponsor, dating to 1928.
IOC president Jacques Rogge said:
"The contribution of Coca-Cola to the Olympic movement has always been the model of a true partnership. This is a natural partnership that we hold most dearly."
Coca-Cola chairman Neville Isdell said:
"Our investment in the Olympic Games underscores our faith in the games and how they continue to make our world a little bit better."
Money has nothing to do with it then?
The deal was signed Monday in a ceremony at the Great Wall in Beijing, which will host the 2008 Summer Games.
The agreement starts in 2009 and covers the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, the 2012 Summer Games in London and the games of 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020.
Coke is the Olympics' longest-serving sponsor, dating to 1928.
IOC president Jacques Rogge said:
"The contribution of Coca-Cola to the Olympic movement has always been the model of a true partnership. This is a natural partnership that we hold most dearly."
Coca-Cola chairman Neville Isdell said:
"Our investment in the Olympic Games underscores our faith in the games and how they continue to make our world a little bit better."
Money has nothing to do with it then?
Monday, August 01, 2005
Montreal's Interest In 2016 Olympics
Montreal Mayor, Gerald Tremblay, said that his city will consider making a bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.
That year would mark the 40th anniversary of the 1976 Games in Montreal, which ran such a massive deficit that it won't be paid off until next year.
Tremblay said:
"We'll catch our breath first, but a lot of people ask questions like that. We'll do a review (of the world championships), we'll think about it and we'll answer that question when the times comes. I don't exclude anything. On the contrary, watch the last thing I say at the closing ceremony and you'll see the answer to your question is in the affirmative."
Concluding:
"Montreal will not wait another 30 years to renew acquaintances with the world."
Given that financial shambles, I can't but help question the wisdom of the good people of Montreal wishing to host the games again.
That year would mark the 40th anniversary of the 1976 Games in Montreal, which ran such a massive deficit that it won't be paid off until next year.
Tremblay said:
"We'll catch our breath first, but a lot of people ask questions like that. We'll do a review (of the world championships), we'll think about it and we'll answer that question when the times comes. I don't exclude anything. On the contrary, watch the last thing I say at the closing ceremony and you'll see the answer to your question is in the affirmative."
Concluding:
"Montreal will not wait another 30 years to renew acquaintances with the world."
Given that financial shambles, I can't but help question the wisdom of the good people of Montreal wishing to host the games again.
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