The Chinese are planning to use a large amount of marble, in the construction of their Olympic venues for the 2008 Games.
Marble from various parts of Rajasthan in India was exported to China this year, for building the infrastructure for the 2008 Olympics. This included granite, marble tiles, slabs and other articles.
The Chinese are using very high quality marble and granite, imported from India, in their Olympic constructions.
Monday, November 29, 2004
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Prague for 2016?
Prague is considering bidding for the 2016 or 2020 Olympics.
A study commissioned by them says that the cost would be around $5.5BN.
However, the report says that the Games could yield a modest profit; they all say that don't they?
They have two years to make their minds up if they are going to bid.
A study commissioned by them says that the cost would be around $5.5BN.
However, the report says that the Games could yield a modest profit; they all say that don't they?
They have two years to make their minds up if they are going to bid.
Friday, November 26, 2004
IOC Coverup?
I wonder how the International Olympic Committee (IOC) can "look at itself in the mirror" in the morning.
They claim, on the one hand, to be for probity and integrity; yet, when it comes to the media scrutinising their activities, they run for cover.
The IOC executive board are expected to announce today that they plan to ask the same Singapore meeting that decides the 2012 venue to expel Ivan Slavkov, the Bulgarian member at the centre of a BBC Panorama corruption sting.
Slavkov was suspended from the IOC, after the Panorama programme made allegations of "cash-for-votes" deals in the bidding for the 2012 Games.
Panorama's methods have seemingly upset the IOC, who seem somewhat publicity shy; the thought of secret cameras and undercover reporters sends shivers down their spines.
What have they to hide I wonder?
It seems that, according to reports, the dear old "incorruptible" IOC are now wary of having contact with British officials; this of course means that the London bid has even less likelihood of winning.
The IOC are reportedly worried about the media in the UK which, in their view, is far too inquisitive.
I repeat, what have they to hide?
They claim, on the one hand, to be for probity and integrity; yet, when it comes to the media scrutinising their activities, they run for cover.
The IOC executive board are expected to announce today that they plan to ask the same Singapore meeting that decides the 2012 venue to expel Ivan Slavkov, the Bulgarian member at the centre of a BBC Panorama corruption sting.
Slavkov was suspended from the IOC, after the Panorama programme made allegations of "cash-for-votes" deals in the bidding for the 2012 Games.
Panorama's methods have seemingly upset the IOC, who seem somewhat publicity shy; the thought of secret cameras and undercover reporters sends shivers down their spines.
What have they to hide I wonder?
It seems that, according to reports, the dear old "incorruptible" IOC are now wary of having contact with British officials; this of course means that the London bid has even less likelihood of winning.
The IOC are reportedly worried about the media in the UK which, in their view, is far too inquisitive.
I repeat, what have they to hide?
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Turin Turmoil
It seems that all is not well in Italy, as Turin continues to prepare to host the 2006 Winter Olympics.
The organisers of the 2006 Turin Olympics have made two key appointments, to the executive board of the organising committee.
Mario Pescante, the new government-appointed supervisor of the Turin Games, and Turin Mayor Sergio Chiamparino have been appointed; in the hope that this will ease the political tensions in the committee.
Additionally, in sign that all is not well with the finances, the budget has been postponed until 21 December.
The Turin Games face a $242M shortfall; the committee expect, and hope, that the Italian taxpayer will cover this. However, support for the Games is very lukewarm in Italy.
The organisers of the 2006 Turin Olympics have made two key appointments, to the executive board of the organising committee.
Mario Pescante, the new government-appointed supervisor of the Turin Games, and Turin Mayor Sergio Chiamparino have been appointed; in the hope that this will ease the political tensions in the committee.
Additionally, in sign that all is not well with the finances, the budget has been postponed until 21 December.
The Turin Games face a $242M shortfall; the committee expect, and hope, that the Italian taxpayer will cover this. However, support for the Games is very lukewarm in Italy.
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
No One Wants to Pay
As is typical with the Olympic circus; everyone wants to host it, but no one wants to pay for it.
This hypocritical stance was well demonstrated by the Welsh Assembly, in respect of the possibility of the UK hosting the 2012 Olympic Games.
The Assembly will try to ensure that London picks up the bill for using Cardiff's Millennium Stadium; in the unlikely event that London hosts the 2012 Olympics.
If the London bid is successful, several matches in the football tournament would be held at the stadium.
The Welsh Assembly quote:
"..have obtained an undertaking from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport that the UK Government will consider any extraordinary costs that might in principle fall to us in relation to hosting the events at the Millennium Stadium...
While this does not specifically state that the UK Government will meet these costs, we will make a strong case for them to do so...."
They conveniently ignore the "alleged" economic benefits of the thousands of fans ect, that will "flock" to Wales to watch these matches.
This hypocritical stance was well demonstrated by the Welsh Assembly, in respect of the possibility of the UK hosting the 2012 Olympic Games.
The Assembly will try to ensure that London picks up the bill for using Cardiff's Millennium Stadium; in the unlikely event that London hosts the 2012 Olympics.
If the London bid is successful, several matches in the football tournament would be held at the stadium.
The Welsh Assembly quote:
"..have obtained an undertaking from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport that the UK Government will consider any extraordinary costs that might in principle fall to us in relation to hosting the events at the Millennium Stadium...
While this does not specifically state that the UK Government will meet these costs, we will make a strong case for them to do so...."
They conveniently ignore the "alleged" economic benefits of the thousands of fans ect, that will "flock" to Wales to watch these matches.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Lubrication
The Great Wall lubricating oil has been designated as the official lubricant for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, quite an honour!
Sinopec, China's largest oil refining and petrochemical company and owner of the oil, singed a deal with the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics (BOCOG) last month.
Sinopec will provide funds, and other forms of support, for; the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics, BOCOG, the Chinese Olympic Committee, as well as Chinese sports delegations for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and 2008 Summer Olympics.
BOCOG has signed 6 partners for the 2008 Games, including; Volkswagen, China Mobile and Bank of China.
Sinopec, China's largest oil refining and petrochemical company and owner of the oil, singed a deal with the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics (BOCOG) last month.
Sinopec will provide funds, and other forms of support, for; the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics, BOCOG, the Chinese Olympic Committee, as well as Chinese sports delegations for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and 2008 Summer Olympics.
BOCOG has signed 6 partners for the 2008 Games, including; Volkswagen, China Mobile and Bank of China.
Monday, November 22, 2004
Olympics Torch Stolen
A torch used to carry the Olympic Flame, for the 1998 Winter Games in Japan, has been stolen from the Nagano Olympic Museum.
The museum allowed visitors to handle the torch, which was retained by a wire to prevent it from being stolen. However, the wire was cut; and the torch stolen.
This is one of a 1000 Olympic torches, made for the 1998 Winter Games held in Nagano. The museum has one other torch left.
The museum allowed visitors to handle the torch, which was retained by a wire to prevent it from being stolen. However, the wire was cut; and the torch stolen.
This is one of a 1000 Olympic torches, made for the 1998 Winter Games held in Nagano. The museum has one other torch left.
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Another Olympics, Another Budget Balls Up!
Seemingly, and why should we be surprised when there are politicians involved, yet another Olympics budget has fallen apart.
This time the honour for lousy financial planning, falls on the forthcoming Turin Winter Olympics 2006. They are expecting a a $242M shortfall, small potatoes compared with the $8BN overspend by the Greeks!
However, to add spice to this little pot boiler, I understand that the police are investigating the possibility that construction contracts were fixed.
Corruption, in the Olympics; surely not?
As usual, when an Olympic's event looks like it will disintegrate into chaos, a politician raises his head; and tells the world that everything will be alright. The politician in question this time is Valentino Castellani, a former Turin mayor who is leading the "organising" committee TOROC.
He said that the games would be ready for the opening ceremony on Feb. 10, 2006. Needless to say, the good people of Italy will be the ones saddled with the bill for the shortfall.
Castellani played the "blame game", noting that state-owned companies, including public broadcaster RAI, have not played their part in sponsoring and promoting the games. National airline Alitalia, which is mired in major financial difficulties, has also not sponsored the games.
So there you go ladies and gentlemen, it's everyone else's fault; but most certainly not the fault of TOROC.
In typical myopic form, Castellani said:
"I don't see any scandal, any particular insoluble solution. I can't believe for a country like Italy that (US$260 million) will be a problem."
How very kind of him!
This time the honour for lousy financial planning, falls on the forthcoming Turin Winter Olympics 2006. They are expecting a a $242M shortfall, small potatoes compared with the $8BN overspend by the Greeks!
However, to add spice to this little pot boiler, I understand that the police are investigating the possibility that construction contracts were fixed.
Corruption, in the Olympics; surely not?
As usual, when an Olympic's event looks like it will disintegrate into chaos, a politician raises his head; and tells the world that everything will be alright. The politician in question this time is Valentino Castellani, a former Turin mayor who is leading the "organising" committee TOROC.
He said that the games would be ready for the opening ceremony on Feb. 10, 2006. Needless to say, the good people of Italy will be the ones saddled with the bill for the shortfall.
Castellani played the "blame game", noting that state-owned companies, including public broadcaster RAI, have not played their part in sponsoring and promoting the games. National airline Alitalia, which is mired in major financial difficulties, has also not sponsored the games.
So there you go ladies and gentlemen, it's everyone else's fault; but most certainly not the fault of TOROC.
In typical myopic form, Castellani said:
"I don't see any scandal, any particular insoluble solution. I can't believe for a country like Italy that (US$260 million) will be a problem."
How very kind of him!
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Madrid's Bid Dead?
It seems that the racist abuse, by Spanish fans of English footballers on Wednesday, may well have killed Madrid's chances of hosting the 2012 Olympic Games.
The IOC may be many things, but it is not stupid enough to knowingly associate its brand with racism.
Lord Coe, the head of the British bid team, was quick to recognise this. In his speech yesterday, outlining London's bid proposal, he put the athletic boot into Madrid.
He said that British Olympics would showcase Britain's "ethnic diversity and tolerance".
Referring to the scenes from Madrid, on Wednesday, he added:
"It was a disfiguring episode for anyone anywhere in sport."
The IOC may be many things, but it is not stupid enough to knowingly associate its brand with racism.
Lord Coe, the head of the British bid team, was quick to recognise this. In his speech yesterday, outlining London's bid proposal, he put the athletic boot into Madrid.
He said that British Olympics would showcase Britain's "ethnic diversity and tolerance".
Referring to the scenes from Madrid, on Wednesday, he added:
"It was a disfiguring episode for anyone anywhere in sport."
Friday, November 19, 2004
Athens Busts Budget Again
It seems that the Athens Olympic budget has been busted again.
Previous reports that the cost of the Games would hit $12BN, seem to be a little on the "light side".
The total cost of the Athens Olympics may in fact exceed $14.6BN, according to Greece's 2005 budget submitted to parliament Thursday.
The extra costs have come from infrastructure projects, eg the metro extension to the airport, and other indirect public sector expenditures not included in the original Olympic budget.
Speaking as an accountant, I trust that the financial "experts" who forecast that the cost would not exceed $6BN get their backsides well and truly kicked.
Previous reports that the cost of the Games would hit $12BN, seem to be a little on the "light side".
The total cost of the Athens Olympics may in fact exceed $14.6BN, according to Greece's 2005 budget submitted to parliament Thursday.
The extra costs have come from infrastructure projects, eg the metro extension to the airport, and other indirect public sector expenditures not included in the original Olympic budget.
Speaking as an accountant, I trust that the financial "experts" who forecast that the cost would not exceed $6BN get their backsides well and truly kicked.
Thursday, November 18, 2004
New York Does It Large!
New York unveiled its detailed plans for its bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics yesterday.
It is promising to beam the Olympic Rings into the night sky over Manhattan, to illuminate the Empire State Building with the national colors of competing countries and to cover every available surface with Olympics advertising.
The latter point will definitely please the judges, given the fact that the Olympics are now entirely the plaything of the marketing men from the corporate world.
The triathlon event would use Central Park, whilst baseball and basketball would be played at Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden respectively.
New York would construct new sites including; an aquatics center in a 35-acre waterfront park in Brooklyn and a park for equestrian events on the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island.
The Olympic village would be built in Queens, and would accommodate the 4,400 athletes.
Ticket prices will be extortionate; between $550 and $1,500 for the opening ceremony, whilst ordinary tickets would cost around $50.
The IOC will visit New York in February 2005, and announce the winner in July.
It is promising to beam the Olympic Rings into the night sky over Manhattan, to illuminate the Empire State Building with the national colors of competing countries and to cover every available surface with Olympics advertising.
The latter point will definitely please the judges, given the fact that the Olympics are now entirely the plaything of the marketing men from the corporate world.
The triathlon event would use Central Park, whilst baseball and basketball would be played at Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden respectively.
New York would construct new sites including; an aquatics center in a 35-acre waterfront park in Brooklyn and a park for equestrian events on the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island.
The Olympic village would be built in Queens, and would accommodate the 4,400 athletes.
Ticket prices will be extortionate; between $550 and $1,500 for the opening ceremony, whilst ordinary tickets would cost around $50.
The IOC will visit New York in February 2005, and announce the winner in July.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Security Matters
An Australian company has signed an agreement with the Chinese Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE), to develop security technology for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
QR Sciences Limited (QRS), a company that specialises in the development of Quadrupole Resonance based explosive detection systems, formalised a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this year.
QRS will develop, and test, a multi-technology screening system; this will be capable of detecting radioactive and explosive materials, along with a range of weapons and narcotics.
The success of this will have positive repercussions for avionics, and other means of travel, worldwide.
QR Sciences Limited (QRS), a company that specialises in the development of Quadrupole Resonance based explosive detection systems, formalised a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this year.
QRS will develop, and test, a multi-technology screening system; this will be capable of detecting radioactive and explosive materials, along with a range of weapons and narcotics.
The success of this will have positive repercussions for avionics, and other means of travel, worldwide.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Designer Apartments
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!
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!
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.
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