It seems that the Olympics never quite fails to surprise me.
Tennis star Venus Williams will, if New York wins the bid for the 2012 Games, be expecting the athletes at the Games to be staying in her apartments.
No, she hasn't got an extremely large apartment in New York; she in fact has just set up a design company, that handles the interior design of apartments and houses.
Quote:
"...(Designing the apartments) was actually a really fun project... If we get the Olympics in New York in 2012 the athletes will be staying in something very much like (my design)...".
It seems that Williams's design skills were honed at the Athens Games; she helped design the orange newsboy caps, which were required headgear for McDonald's employees in Athens.
Hmmm!
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Monday, November 15, 2004
London Olympics Bid
London hands over its bid for the 2012 Olympic Games today.
Lord Coe, Olympic medal winner and chairman of the bid, expressed his confidence in the chances that London might host the Games for the first time since 1948.
The 600 page bid book will be handed over to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by Amber Charles, a 14-year-old basketball player from east London.
The final decision will be made by the IOC in July 2005.
The IOC will visit each city, to judge for themselves the state of readiness of each bidder.
London's success would mean the transformation of 1,500 acres of East London's Lower Lea Valley, which is one of the UK's poorest areas.
Other events would be held at; Wimbledon, the new Wembley, Lord's and heritage sites like Hyde Park, Regent's Park, Greenwich Park and Horse Guards.
Lord Coe, Olympic medal winner and chairman of the bid, expressed his confidence in the chances that London might host the Games for the first time since 1948.
The 600 page bid book will be handed over to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by Amber Charles, a 14-year-old basketball player from east London.
The final decision will be made by the IOC in July 2005.
The IOC will visit each city, to judge for themselves the state of readiness of each bidder.
London's success would mean the transformation of 1,500 acres of East London's Lower Lea Valley, which is one of the UK's poorest areas.
Other events would be held at; Wimbledon, the new Wembley, Lord's and heritage sites like Hyde Park, Regent's Park, Greenwich Park and Horse Guards.
Sunday, November 14, 2004
New York Bid
New York will submit its bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games to the IOC tomorrow.
Mayor Bloomberg believes that the Games will attract $12BN of economic activity, and create 135,000 jobs.
Quote:
"We're going to turn it up a notch and, for the next eight months, we're going to work harder than ever to get the Summer Games for 2012 right here where they belong...".
The five boroughs of New York would all play a part in the Games; mountain biking at the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island, swimming and diving in Willliamsburg, Brooklyn, baseball in Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, sailing off the Rockaways and the opening and closing ceremonies in a proposed new stadium on the Hudson River.
However, the plan for a West Side Stadium which would be home to the NFL's Jets, faces opposition from neighborhood groups. This uncertainty surrounding the stadium plan may complicate the bid.
Mayor Bloomberg believes that the Games will attract $12BN of economic activity, and create 135,000 jobs.
Quote:
"We're going to turn it up a notch and, for the next eight months, we're going to work harder than ever to get the Summer Games for 2012 right here where they belong...".
The five boroughs of New York would all play a part in the Games; mountain biking at the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island, swimming and diving in Willliamsburg, Brooklyn, baseball in Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, sailing off the Rockaways and the opening and closing ceremonies in a proposed new stadium on the Hudson River.
However, the plan for a West Side Stadium which would be home to the NFL's Jets, faces opposition from neighborhood groups. This uncertainty surrounding the stadium plan may complicate the bid.
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Dead Reckoning
As predicted, on this site before the Athens Olympics even started, the cost of hosting the Athens Olympics has topped $12BN.
The Greek Finance Minister, Giorgos Alogoskoufis, revealed the staggering cost of history's most expensive Games yesterday.
The original budget was around $3BN.
The $12BN cost does not include the cost of infrastructure, these costs have not been published.
The Greek Finance Minister, Giorgos Alogoskoufis, revealed the staggering cost of history's most expensive Games yesterday.
The original budget was around $3BN.
The $12BN cost does not include the cost of infrastructure, these costs have not been published.
Friday, November 12, 2004
Olympic Histrionics
The histrionic threat by Valentino Castellani, organiser of the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics, to resign yesterday (as reported on this site) has been withdrawn; how surprising!
Following a meeting with the IOC president, Jacques Rogge, and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi; Castellani's ego was duly mollified.
The division of powers between himself and Mario Pescante, the government appointed games supervisor, had been clarified to his satisfaction.
Castellani, a former mayor of Turin, said:
"..a page had been turned.." and he would remain head of organising committee through the games in February 2006.
What a relief!
Following a meeting with the IOC president, Jacques Rogge, and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi; Castellani's ego was duly mollified.
The division of powers between himself and Mario Pescante, the government appointed games supervisor, had been clarified to his satisfaction.
Castellani, a former mayor of Turin, said:
"..a page had been turned.." and he would remain head of organising committee through the games in February 2006.
What a relief!
Thursday, November 11, 2004
What are The Odds?
The London Olympic bid book, for the 2012 Olympics, will be delivered to the IOC next week.
However, the smart money on which city will win the bidding is on Paris at 4/7; according to William Hill the UK bookmakers.
Whilst London comes second at 2/1, the level of betting from British punters is low. This does not augur well for London's chances.
The other odds are 13/2 Madrid, 12/1 New York, 33/1 Moscow.
However, the smart money on which city will win the bidding is on Paris at 4/7; according to William Hill the UK bookmakers.
Whilst London comes second at 2/1, the level of betting from British punters is low. This does not augur well for London's chances.
The other odds are 13/2 Madrid, 12/1 New York, 33/1 Moscow.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Music For Olympians
Sandeep Chowta, the renowned Indian musician, is part of the international team that will put together the theme music for the summer Olympics being held in Beijing 2008.
Chowta is currently scouting for talent:
"We are looking for youngsters, between four and seven, to record for the theme song.."
Chowta, part of the AO band (which has worked with Sheryl Crowe, The Eagles and Celine Dion), will compose the theme song and track for the Beijing Olympics.
He wants to to create a combination of sounds from around the world, language is no barrier.
Chowta is currently scouting for talent:
"We are looking for youngsters, between four and seven, to record for the theme song.."
Chowta, part of the AO band (which has worked with Sheryl Crowe, The Eagles and Celine Dion), will compose the theme song and track for the Beijing Olympics.
He wants to to create a combination of sounds from around the world, language is no barrier.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Memorial
The Israeli Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom, has asked the organisers of the 2008 Beijing Olympics to commemorate the Israeli athletes murdered during the 1972 Munich Games.
Eleven members of the Israeli team were murdered in Munich in 1972 by terrorists.
Shalom made the request, to the Beijing Vice Mayor Liu Jingmin, on the basis of the $250M worth of construction work being done by Israeli companies for the 2008 Games.
Shalom has asked that the murders be mentioned and commemorated at the 2008 Games, for the first time.
Eleven members of the Israeli team were murdered in Munich in 1972 by terrorists.
Shalom made the request, to the Beijing Vice Mayor Liu Jingmin, on the basis of the $250M worth of construction work being done by Israeli companies for the 2008 Games.
Shalom has asked that the murders be mentioned and commemorated at the 2008 Games, for the first time.
Monday, November 08, 2004
Who Pays? You Do of Course!
It seems that the arrogance of Tessa Jowell, the British Minister in charge of Britain's bid to host the 2012 Olympics, knows no bounds.
When asked about the possibility of budget overruns, in the highly unlikely event that Britain gets to host the Games, she said that there would not be any.
Needless to say the idea of an Olympic budget, being managed by politicians, not being breached is of course pure fantasy.
When pressed on this rather obvious point, she tartly admitted that if it did go over budget then the overrun would be made up by increasing taxes.
I wonder when she will have the courtesy to ask the voters if they are happy with this arrangement?
When asked about the possibility of budget overruns, in the highly unlikely event that Britain gets to host the Games, she said that there would not be any.
Needless to say the idea of an Olympic budget, being managed by politicians, not being breached is of course pure fantasy.
When pressed on this rather obvious point, she tartly admitted that if it did go over budget then the overrun would be made up by increasing taxes.
I wonder when she will have the courtesy to ask the voters if they are happy with this arrangement?
Saturday, November 06, 2004
Date Fixed
Beijing has picked 8:08pm August the 8th 2008, as being the starting date and time for the 2008 Olympic Games.
This is a lucky date, as it contains a string of 8's (the luckiest number according to Chinese tradition).
This date also avoids a clash with the US Open tennis tournament and that American baseball pennant races, which are held at the end of August.
This is a lucky date, as it contains a string of 8's (the luckiest number according to Chinese tradition).
This date also avoids a clash with the US Open tennis tournament and that American baseball pennant races, which are held at the end of August.
Friday, November 05, 2004
A Little Bit of Politics
Valentino Castellani, the chief organiser of the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics (TOROC), has resigned 15 months before the Games are due to start.
It seems that Castellani, who will formally submit his resignation on 24 November, is feeling "undermined" by the Italian government's nomination of Mario Pescante, culture ministry undersecretary and former head of the Italian Olympic Committee, as overall supervisor for the Games.
Quote:
"The powers given to Pescante ... represent a lack of confidence in the work done here up until now, and above all, in the capacity to continue it..."
TOROC has been criticised for a $227 million budget shortfall; plus, as usual with Olympic events, there has been a distinct lack of enthusiam in the host nation for the event.
TOROC has also been under attack from the media, Il Giornale has publicly "shredded" every detail of TOROC's financing; alleging that excessive amounts have been set aside for food, wine and plane tickets.
Excess spending on drink and hospitality, by Olympic officials, surely not!
Let's face it, the Olympics are regarded by those who organise them as nothing more than a large trough of money in which they gorge themselves like pigs.
It seems that Castellani, who will formally submit his resignation on 24 November, is feeling "undermined" by the Italian government's nomination of Mario Pescante, culture ministry undersecretary and former head of the Italian Olympic Committee, as overall supervisor for the Games.
Quote:
"The powers given to Pescante ... represent a lack of confidence in the work done here up until now, and above all, in the capacity to continue it..."
TOROC has been criticised for a $227 million budget shortfall; plus, as usual with Olympic events, there has been a distinct lack of enthusiam in the host nation for the event.
TOROC has also been under attack from the media, Il Giornale has publicly "shredded" every detail of TOROC's financing; alleging that excessive amounts have been set aside for food, wine and plane tickets.
Excess spending on drink and hospitality, by Olympic officials, surely not!
Let's face it, the Olympics are regarded by those who organise them as nothing more than a large trough of money in which they gorge themselves like pigs.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Winter Sale
The tickets for the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics, being held between 10-26 February 2006, have now gone on sale.
There are 1 million tickets; 650000 are available for the public, the remaining 350000 are reserved for national Olympic Committees, sponsors, international sports federations and broadcasters.
The tickets will be priced at between $25.50 and $1082 (how very reasonable!).
The first phase of the ticket sales start today, and will end on the 15th of December.
There are 1 million tickets; 650000 are available for the public, the remaining 350000 are reserved for national Olympic Committees, sponsors, international sports federations and broadcasters.
The tickets will be priced at between $25.50 and $1082 (how very reasonable!).
The first phase of the ticket sales start today, and will end on the 15th of December.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Dynamic Duo Wait in Limbo
The prosecutor deciding the fate of the dynamic duo of Greek sprinting, Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou, has postponed his decision as to whether they should be charged for faking a motorcycle accident on their way to a dope test.
The reasons for the delay have not been explained. However, it is reported that the prosecutor is exploring the possibility of pressing charges against the doctors who "treated" the dynamic duo.
In the meantime, it is understood that the Supreme Court has been asked to review a recommendation that Parliament begin an investigation into state funding for a business owned by the coach of the sprinters.
The reasons for the delay have not been explained. However, it is reported that the prosecutor is exploring the possibility of pressing charges against the doctors who "treated" the dynamic duo.
In the meantime, it is understood that the Supreme Court has been asked to review a recommendation that Parliament begin an investigation into state funding for a business owned by the coach of the sprinters.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Frugality Rules!
Jacques Rogge, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, expressed his support on Monday for Beijing's decision to scale back their Olympic construction.
He noted in Beijing, that the Chinese plans for a "frugal Olympics" wouldn't interfere with holding the 2008 Summer Games.
The Chinese have suspended their work on Beijing's 100,000 seat Olympic stadium, and several other facilities, whilst they redesign them to be more "frugal".
Rogge said that the IOC was confident that China could meet its commitments, with regard to its detailed agreement with the committee, on facilities and the conduct of the games.
Good to see the Chinese using common sense; there has to be a limit on how much is spent on the Olympics, otherwise no one would be able to afford to host them.
He noted in Beijing, that the Chinese plans for a "frugal Olympics" wouldn't interfere with holding the 2008 Summer Games.
The Chinese have suspended their work on Beijing's 100,000 seat Olympic stadium, and several other facilities, whilst they redesign them to be more "frugal".
Rogge said that the IOC was confident that China could meet its commitments, with regard to its detailed agreement with the committee, on facilities and the conduct of the games.
Good to see the Chinese using common sense; there has to be a limit on how much is spent on the Olympics, otherwise no one would be able to afford to host them.
Monday, November 01, 2004
Plonker
Greek dope (sorry doping suspect) Kostadinos Kenteris, one half of the "dynamic duo" of sprinting who were disqualified from the Athens Olympics for missing a drugs test, says that he is looking forward to prosecution; so that he can clear his name.
Rather bizarrely Kenteris, in an interview, blamed the Greek Olympic Committee HOC and the International Olympic Committee for setting him up.
He went on to dig an even larger hole for himself by saying:
"Evidently, from what I understand... it starts with IOC President Jacques Rogge, who was looking for me to make sure I entered the Olympic village as early as 12:00 (that day)... and from below his court -- don't forget the HOC is holding elections in a few days....They executed me...".
Some people don't seem to know when to shut up and slink away.
Rather bizarrely Kenteris, in an interview, blamed the Greek Olympic Committee HOC and the International Olympic Committee for setting him up.
He went on to dig an even larger hole for himself by saying:
"Evidently, from what I understand... it starts with IOC President Jacques Rogge, who was looking for me to make sure I entered the Olympic village as early as 12:00 (that day)... and from below his court -- don't forget the HOC is holding elections in a few days....They executed me...".
Some people don't seem to know when to shut up and slink away.
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