The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has reportedly asked President Bush to shut down the part of his campaign website that uses the word "Olympics".
The site shows a cartoon game, "John Kerry's Flip Flop Olympics"which asks players to guess Kerry's stances on issues.
It seems that the use of the word "Olympics" is barred under a federal law; only the USOC, according to the USOC that is, can use the word.
The USOC overzealously guards this word, nothing to do with the royalties that it generates of course!
Money and the Olympics go hand in hand, sport is but a side issue.
The Bush team, so I understand, have ignored the request.
Quite right!
Saturday, October 09, 2004
Friday, October 08, 2004
What a Whopper!
The Athens Olympics are but a faded memory. However, the bills are now being tallied up.
The Greek government is "trying" to add up the costs, and has stated that it will "announce it shortly...all these unanswered questions will be answered...".
The public deficit has breached 5.3% of GDP; which is not at all good news, as it breaches the EU 3% ceiling.
Estimates vary as to what the final bill will be. However, it is likely to be around $12BN (the budget was just under $6BN).
The Greek government is also trying to work out what to do with the $3BN of Olympic buildings, constructed for the Games. These will cost $100M per year to maintain.
As Premier Costas Caramanlis says:
"The country is facing an acute financial problem that can no longer be hidden..."
Quite!
The Greek government is "trying" to add up the costs, and has stated that it will "announce it shortly...all these unanswered questions will be answered...".
The public deficit has breached 5.3% of GDP; which is not at all good news, as it breaches the EU 3% ceiling.
Estimates vary as to what the final bill will be. However, it is likely to be around $12BN (the budget was just under $6BN).
The Greek government is also trying to work out what to do with the $3BN of Olympic buildings, constructed for the Games. These will cost $100M per year to maintain.
As Premier Costas Caramanlis says:
"The country is facing an acute financial problem that can no longer be hidden..."
Quite!
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Milking It
Those of you who are worried that Paul Hamm may lose his Olympic gold medal, if the arbitration court rules in favour of South Korea, need not fear too much for Hamm's livelihood.
He has reportedly been awarded an endorsement deal with Marigold Foods, a Minneapolis dairy company.
Hamm will be awarded his own ice cream flavour of "gold medal pecan swirl".
The ice cream has a butter pecan base, blended with thick caramel swirls and caramel-filled chocolate "gold medals."
Hamm had better not eat too many of those, otherwise he may not be fit enough to compete in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
He has reportedly been awarded an endorsement deal with Marigold Foods, a Minneapolis dairy company.
Hamm will be awarded his own ice cream flavour of "gold medal pecan swirl".
The ice cream has a butter pecan base, blended with thick caramel swirls and caramel-filled chocolate "gold medals."
Hamm had better not eat too many of those, otherwise he may not be fit enough to compete in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Scraping The Bottom
The World Anti-Doping Agency Chairman, Dick Pound, has revealed how two disgraced Hungarian athletes provided false urine samples.
It seems that the boys, Robert Fazekas and Adrian Annus (an appropriate name), inserted balloons filled with someone elses urine into their anuses.
How nice!
They had their medals stripped from them, after they were found out to have provided false samples.
Seemingly, if you were not watching that closely, the "Heath Robinson" device of balloons and tubes made it look as they were actually unrinating.
As usual with scum bag cheats like this, Annus claimed that he was being "set up" by the IOC.
My message to Mr Annus is Blow it out your a**e!
It seems that the boys, Robert Fazekas and Adrian Annus (an appropriate name), inserted balloons filled with someone elses urine into their anuses.
How nice!
They had their medals stripped from them, after they were found out to have provided false samples.
Seemingly, if you were not watching that closely, the "Heath Robinson" device of balloons and tubes made it look as they were actually unrinating.
As usual with scum bag cheats like this, Annus claimed that he was being "set up" by the IOC.
My message to Mr Annus is Blow it out your a**e!
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Shattered Illusion
It seems that the idea that the Athens Olympics would create jobs was but a fanciful illusion.
It is reported that 50,000 people, who were engaged for the construction and maintenance of Olympic facilities, are yet again unemployed now that the Games have ended.
Additionally, the majority of the 150,000 people who got Olympic jobs were, in fact, economic migrants; residing with their families in Athens.
It seems that the local Athens authorities are now faced with the task of moving these people to places of employment.
Precisely how to they intend to do that I wonder?
It is reported that 50,000 people, who were engaged for the construction and maintenance of Olympic facilities, are yet again unemployed now that the Games have ended.
Additionally, the majority of the 150,000 people who got Olympic jobs were, in fact, economic migrants; residing with their families in Athens.
It seems that the local Athens authorities are now faced with the task of moving these people to places of employment.
Precisely how to they intend to do that I wonder?
Monday, October 04, 2004
Divided Loyalties
David Beckham has hit the headlines again, how surprising!
This time, his "fifteen minutes of fame" is down to him withdrawing from the Madrid team photo to promote their bid to host the 2012 Olympics.
Beckham, a very shrewd and intelligent individual, realised that a photo of him appearing in front of a banner backing Madrid's bid would look a trifle disloyal to his fellow Brits.
Having discussed it with his agent, he pulled out; needless to say his chums in Madrid were not best pleased.
It seems that Madrid 2012 signed a deal with Real Madrid, stating that all the Real Madrid players would promote the city's bid for the 2012 Games.
Beckham now has to deal with the problem of what he will be wearing on the pitch.
His new shirts will feature a logo supporting the Madrid bid.
Even Tony Blair might have trouble worming his way out of that.
This time, his "fifteen minutes of fame" is down to him withdrawing from the Madrid team photo to promote their bid to host the 2012 Olympics.
Beckham, a very shrewd and intelligent individual, realised that a photo of him appearing in front of a banner backing Madrid's bid would look a trifle disloyal to his fellow Brits.
Having discussed it with his agent, he pulled out; needless to say his chums in Madrid were not best pleased.
It seems that Madrid 2012 signed a deal with Real Madrid, stating that all the Real Madrid players would promote the city's bid for the 2012 Games.
Beckham now has to deal with the problem of what he will be wearing on the pitch.
His new shirts will feature a logo supporting the Madrid bid.
Even Tony Blair might have trouble worming his way out of that.
Sunday, October 03, 2004
Corruption
Slavkov, Bulgaria's top Olympic official, has reportedly pleaded innocent of corruption charges; in front of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC's) ethics panel.
Slavkov was filmed by the BBC, discussing how votes could be bought to support a city's bid to host the 2012 Summer Games.
Slavkov's membership of the IOC has been suspended, and his credentials for the Athens Olympics were revoked.
A final ruling on expulsion will not come until next July.
Who says that justice is swift?
Slavkov was filmed by the BBC, discussing how votes could be bought to support a city's bid to host the 2012 Summer Games.
Slavkov's membership of the IOC has been suspended, and his credentials for the Athens Olympics were revoked.
A final ruling on expulsion will not come until next July.
Who says that justice is swift?
Saturday, October 02, 2004
Big Guns Support New York
The big guns are coming out in support of New York to host the 2012 Olympics.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell has reportedly asked his foreign minister colleagues to back New York's bid.
He has also recorded a videotape on behalf of the bid, which will make the same case. He describes the city as "a place where you can come and have a good time", that would make a "great" host for the Games.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell has reportedly asked his foreign minister colleagues to back New York's bid.
He has also recorded a videotape on behalf of the bid, which will make the same case. He describes the city as "a place where you can come and have a good time", that would make a "great" host for the Games.
Friday, October 01, 2004
British Olympics? No Chance
I reiterate what I have said before, that there is not a hope in hell of Britain hosting the 2012 Olympics.
My view has been confirmed by the decision to abandon Silverstone, as part of the Formula One 2005 calendar.
Bernie Ecclestone, F1 superemo, is also heavily involved in the bid for the 2012 Olympics. He is reportedly to be of the view that Silverstone is outdated, and does not receive the level of support from the government that it deserves.
The decision to axe Silverstone will send a very clear message to the IOC, that Britain simply does not have the money or the will to host major sporting events.
It is of course, classic brinkmanship, a last ditched attempt to embarrass the government into funding a rejuvenation of Silverstone.
My view has been confirmed by the decision to abandon Silverstone, as part of the Formula One 2005 calendar.
Bernie Ecclestone, F1 superemo, is also heavily involved in the bid for the 2012 Olympics. He is reportedly to be of the view that Silverstone is outdated, and does not receive the level of support from the government that it deserves.
The decision to axe Silverstone will send a very clear message to the IOC, that Britain simply does not have the money or the will to host major sporting events.
It is of course, classic brinkmanship, a last ditched attempt to embarrass the government into funding a rejuvenation of Silverstone.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
London's Bid
The Labour Party conference, in Brighton, tried to give London's bid to host the 2012 Olympics a kick start on Tuesday.
The culture secretary, Tessa Jowell, reportedly said "Let's unite as a country to work for it, win it and give the world an Olympic Games that none of us will ever forget....This is about how ambitious and bold we are as a country. In sport there is no higher place than the Olympics. That must be our goal...."
UGHH!! Utter claptrap.
Mayor Ken Livingstone at least tried to inject a note of realism, by noting that London still had "some way to catch up" in respect of infrastructure.
The bottom line is simple, London does not have the infrastructure to cope with hosting the Games; and will not have it in place in time.
There is not a hope in hell of London being awarded the 2012 Games.
The culture secretary, Tessa Jowell, reportedly said "Let's unite as a country to work for it, win it and give the world an Olympic Games that none of us will ever forget....This is about how ambitious and bold we are as a country. In sport there is no higher place than the Olympics. That must be our goal...."
UGHH!! Utter claptrap.
Mayor Ken Livingstone at least tried to inject a note of realism, by noting that London still had "some way to catch up" in respect of infrastructure.
The bottom line is simple, London does not have the infrastructure to cope with hosting the Games; and will not have it in place in time.
There is not a hope in hell of London being awarded the 2012 Games.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Frosty Games
The mascots for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, starting on 10 January 2006, have been unveiled.
They are Neve a snowball, and Gliz a block of ice.
They were launched at a ceremony yesterday and, after a cartoon show introducing them, made an appearance in person.
They are meant to represent the spirit of the Olympics namely; competition, friendship and fair play. I will look at the contents of my ice box with new respect in the future.
Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is a tad worried about the laid back attitude of the Italians with respect to meeting deadlines. He is reportedly not wishing to see a repeat of the last minute rush to complete, that occurred at the Athens Games.
The Italians are sanguine, and feel that there will be no problem.
They are Neve a snowball, and Gliz a block of ice.
They were launched at a ceremony yesterday and, after a cartoon show introducing them, made an appearance in person.
They are meant to represent the spirit of the Olympics namely; competition, friendship and fair play. I will look at the contents of my ice box with new respect in the future.
Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is a tad worried about the laid back attitude of the Italians with respect to meeting deadlines. He is reportedly not wishing to see a repeat of the last minute rush to complete, that occurred at the Athens Games.
The Italians are sanguine, and feel that there will be no problem.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
A Lot of Fuss
Paul Hamm's hearing, regarding the disputed gymnastic medal, was held in Lausanne yesterday. It seems that it was quite an ordeal; lasting over 11 hours.
The decision has yet to be announced. However, it seems that all the "stops" were pulled out to make sure that the hearing seemed to be important.
Hamm had 6 lawyers with him, there were also 40 people speaking 7 languages attending the hearing.
The arbitrators will now take a fortnight to deliberate over the issue.
The decision has yet to be announced. However, it seems that all the "stops" were pulled out to make sure that the hearing seemed to be important.
Hamm had 6 lawyers with him, there were also 40 people speaking 7 languages attending the hearing.
The arbitrators will now take a fortnight to deliberate over the issue.
A Jolly Junket
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) team, who will be judging which city hosts the 2012 Olympics, have announced the schedule of their jolly junket.
They will kick off in Madrid then visit London, New York, Paris and finally Moscow.
The IOC claim that the order of cities is logistical. However, from my modest grasp of geography, I would have thought it should be Madrid, Paris, London, New York then Moscow.
The team will be led by Nawal El Moutawakel, Morocco's 1984 Olympic 400 meters hurdles champion. They will meet bid leaders, and city/government officials during their visits.
They are scheduled to report in May 2005.
This will be an especially nice trip for the "lads" from the IOC; as they have not been allowed to travel, since the Salt Lake City corruption scandal in 1998.
Let us hope no one takes any bribes this time round!
They will kick off in Madrid then visit London, New York, Paris and finally Moscow.
The IOC claim that the order of cities is logistical. However, from my modest grasp of geography, I would have thought it should be Madrid, Paris, London, New York then Moscow.
The team will be led by Nawal El Moutawakel, Morocco's 1984 Olympic 400 meters hurdles champion. They will meet bid leaders, and city/government officials during their visits.
They are scheduled to report in May 2005.
This will be an especially nice trip for the "lads" from the IOC; as they have not been allowed to travel, since the Salt Lake City corruption scandal in 1998.
Let us hope no one takes any bribes this time round!
Monday, September 27, 2004
The Waiting Is Over
The waiting is finally over for Paul Hamm; winner, for the time being, of the men's gymnastic Olympic medal.
Today the Court for Arbitration for Sport will hear the appeal from the South Korean gymnast, Yang Tae-young, who is disputing the scoring of the event.
Needless to say, with both the Koreans and Americans vowing to battle to the end for their respective sides, the hearing could be every bit as thrilling as the actual event.
Indeed, the US Olympic Committee is sending a bevy of lawyers along; as well as spending $300K on defending their man.
The hearing will take place in Lausanne, behind closed doors. A panel of 3 wise men will hear the case, then make their decision.
However, no one knows quite how these guys will come to a decision; rumour has it they will examine the entrails of a goat.
Today the Court for Arbitration for Sport will hear the appeal from the South Korean gymnast, Yang Tae-young, who is disputing the scoring of the event.
Needless to say, with both the Koreans and Americans vowing to battle to the end for their respective sides, the hearing could be every bit as thrilling as the actual event.
Indeed, the US Olympic Committee is sending a bevy of lawyers along; as well as spending $300K on defending their man.
The hearing will take place in Lausanne, behind closed doors. A panel of 3 wise men will hear the case, then make their decision.
However, no one knows quite how these guys will come to a decision; rumour has it they will examine the entrails of a goat.
Sunday, September 26, 2004
The Never Ending Games
It seems that the 2004 Games are set to go on until 2012, that at least is the case from the drug enforcement perspective.
All the urine and bodily fluid samples, taken during the 2004 Games, have to be stored until 2012; just in case a new test has to be carried out.
As technology develops, it is likely that new tests will be devised over the coming years that can be used on these frozen samples.
It is therefore highly possible that titles won in 2004, will be removed in 2011; if the winners were proven to be cheating.
Imagine the litigation issues that would stir up!
All the urine and bodily fluid samples, taken during the 2004 Games, have to be stored until 2012; just in case a new test has to be carried out.
As technology develops, it is likely that new tests will be devised over the coming years that can be used on these frozen samples.
It is therefore highly possible that titles won in 2004, will be removed in 2011; if the winners were proven to be cheating.
Imagine the litigation issues that would stir up!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)