Dow Undeterred; New London Legacy Corporation; Ullrich Verdict Ahead

Bhopal Controversy Won't Deter Dow, Says Olympics VP

The recent Bhopal controversy will not keep Dow Chemical from continuing to support the London Olympics, insists the company's officer in charge of the sponsorship.

Reuters reports that George Hamilton, VP of Olympic Operations for Dow, says the company is committed to providing technology for the Games.

Dow, which is providing a giant fabric wrap for the Olympic Stadium, has been linked to a disaster in 1984 in Bhopal, India where a pesticide plant leaked toxic gas, killing thousands in the following days and years.

In 2001, Dow bought the Union Carbide Corporation, a majority stake holder in the responsible company at the time of the incident.

Dow has continuously argued that they are not liable for the disaster, and Hamilton says organizations often use the Olympics to promote an agenda.

"It would be great to be controversy-free, but as I talk to other sponsors and other parts of the Olympic organization you realize that over the years the Olympics has been a free platform for organizations and individuals to make their points," Hamilton told Reuters.

"It's a free country and people are allowed to state their case and then take actions. They are allowed to do that.

"I can't speak for what people's motivations are, but it is what it is....this is not going to deter us, we are committed to our Olympic partnership, both in London and future Games and we are committed to delivering technology that makes it the most successful Games in the history of the Olympics."

He added that the company anticipated that people would link Dow with "legacy issues."

"We recognized when we became a sponsor that organizations and individuals would try and associate Dow with legacy issues.

"We were prepared for that. It's gone on longer than I would have anticipated, but it doesn't change our resolve."

London Mayor to Create Legacy Corporation

A corporation created by London Mayor Boris Johnson will be responsible for regeneration of the Olympic Park area.

Opening for business on April 1, the London Legacy Development Corporation will continue the work of the Olympic Park Legacy Company and will work to secure tenants for remaining venues.

"We have an extraordinarily exciting period ahead," said Johnson. "Building on the momentum already created by the Legacy Company we are on track to grasp this unique opportunity and harness the Olympic legacy of new jobs, new homes and new communities which Londoners will benefit from for years to come."

Margaret Ford, chair of the OPLC, will serve as the corporation’s interim chair until after the London Olympics.

"I am grateful for Margaret’s huge contribution over the last three years planning and delivering a solid 2012 legacy and delighted she will oversee this important work until after the Games as well as setting the new Legacy Corporation on a firm footing," Johnson said.

Ullrich Verdict Ahead

A second doping verdict against a Tour de France winner will be handed down Thursday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The ruling on former German road racing star and Sydney 2000 gold medalist Jan Ullrich will arrive just three days after CAS stripped Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador of his 2010 Tour title and banned him two years.

As with Contador, the appeal against Ullrich is being brought by the International Cycling Union, who wants the 1997 Tour winner investigated for ties to Spain’s infamous 2006 doping probe Operation Puerto.

According to an Associated Press report, the UCI is challenging the Swiss Olympic Association’s stance not to investigate Ullrich, who competed with a Swiss license.

The five-time Tour runner-up served a six-month amphetamines ban in 2002, meaning another doping offense could bar him from the sport for life.

Slim Shot for Aussie Football; Iraqi Hopes Dashed

FIFA’s reversal of a result from last November has Australia’s chances of qualifying for the men’s Olympic football competition at London 2012 looking slim.

According to an Australian Associated Press report, worldfootball’s governing body ruled that Iraq fielded an ineligible player and awarded a 3-0 win to United Arab Emirates, who now shares the qualifying group lead at eight points apiece with Uzbekistan.

The offending player, Jasim Faisal, should have been ineligible for the Nov. 27 match in Dubai after receiving a pair of yellow cards in two previous fixtures.

With only three points total and two matches remaining – at UAE on Feb. 22 and Iraq at home on March 14 – Australia must now win out but also hope either UAE or Uzbekistan loses out.

In that case, the Olyroos would head to a round robin with the other two group runner-ups for a shot at playing Senegal to book the last remaining berth to London 2012.

In the case of Iraq, its amended total of a single point dashes all hopes of qualifying for the 2012 Games.

Media Watch

The Salt Lake Tribune reports on Utahans’ memories of the 2002 Olympics.

Sochi 2014’s skiing venue is about to have its test event, which the Associated Press previews.

The International Sailing Federation looks back at the history of Olympic sailing, recapping the 1908 sailing tournament.

PyeongChang’s "Dream Program" is alive and well. It was originally started as part of the city’s Winter Olympic bid to introduce winter sport to children who come from countries without winter sport opportunities.

In an effort to return to boxing glory, Cuba is training boxers at younger ages than ever before.

Written by Ann Cantrell, Ed Hula and Matthew Grayson.

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