Games Lanes Begin; Coe for IAAF President; Olympics Roles for Beckham, Ali?

(ATR) "London is moving well" claims LOCOG communications director Jackie Brock-Doyle on the opening day of the Olympic Route Network.

Hours after 30 miles of controversial Games Lanes – and accompanying traffic restrictions – came into effect early Wednesday, reports of congestion were scarce to start with but picked up quickly in central London on what's become the hottest day of the year so far .

Both the Circle as well as Hammersmith and City lines of the Tube suffered severe delays, too. The latter is considered a key alternative to the Central line for travelers to Olympic Park.

Also during Wednesday’s presser on Games presentation, Brock-Doyle downplayed the problems of British travel agency Thomas Cook as well as CoSport, the Authorized Ticket Reseller for USA, Australia, Canada and elsewhere.

Thomas Cook, LOCOG’s official provider of "short breaks" to London 2012, forced hundreds of ticket buyers to come to central London after failing to deliver by post while hours-long lines are greeting overseas some overseas visitors at CoSport’s will call office.

"We have offered to help support them with resources if that’s an issue, but they are telling us they are getting it under control," said Brock-Doyle.

Transport and ticketing aside, LOCOG director of sport Debbie Jevans fielded the bulk of Wednesday’s questions after rehashing the presentation innovations revealed at last’s opening of the Main Press Center, including in-ear commentary, theatrical lighting, mood videos and appropriately themed music across all 32 competition venues.

"The last few days, we’ve really seen everything come together by way of the look and those final touches in the venues," she told reporters.

"They’re in great shape, and I can’t wait for you to see them all."

Jevans admitted some areas in the top levels of the Aquatics Center are being supplemented by televisions during diving events and insisted any ticketholders who bought these "slightly obscured" seats were notified accordingly.

Olympics Roles for Beckham, Ali?

David Beckham shared a stage with boxing legend Muhammad Ali at the Beyond Sport awards in London last night, as the former England star confirmed that he will have a role in the Olympics opening ceremony on Friday.

The pair of sporting greats presented the inaugural Generation Ali Beyond Sport Award, which recognizes service, leadership and action in the community, to Matiullah Haidar. The 19-year-old, who lost most of his family in the conflict in Afghanistan, came to the U.K. as a refugee and now coaches sport and supports refugees as a skilled translator.

Nicknamed "The Greatest", the 70-year-old Ali who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease over 25 years ago, looked frail, gaunt and wore a blank facial expression when he was brought to the stage.

It's been rumored he might have a role in the Olympics opening ceremony, but that seems doubtful given his ailing health.

Also on Tuesday evening, Beckham revealed that he will take part in the London 2012 opening ceremony.

"It is some kind of role in the opening ceremony which I am honored to be involved in, because I was involved in the start process with this seven years ago," Beckham told Associated Press. "And for Seb [Coe] to have kept me involved, I’m very proud of that."

It's likely Beckham will be one of the final torchbearers in the Olympic Stadium on Friday night before the cauldron is lit to launch 16 days of competition at the Games.

For more on Beckham and his Olympic expectations, follow World Football INSIDER.

World’s Olympic Media Call on Divine Intervention

St. Bride’s Church on Fleet Street will keep "the flame of truth" burning through the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The church, known as the spiritual home of journalists, held a multi-faith ceremony called "Light the Flame, Ignite the Spirit" to welcome international Olympic journalists on Tuesday.

"Together let us light the truth and ignite the spirit of friendship and cooperation as we prepare together, to celebrate the 2012 Olympic Games," said David Meara, Rector of St. Bride’s.

Sports Journalists Association president Michael Parkinson lit the candle serving as the flame of truth. He also delivered an address speaking about the role of sports journalism in highlighting "the true character of the human spirit."

"All these concerns are forgotten by victorious athletes winning the ultimate award, with courage, skill and grace," he preached to a congregation of around 100.

‘’The best writing and the best journalism can be found in sports pages.

"English [sportswriters] have sometimes incurred a reputation as an inferior journalism…sometimes described as ‘a toy box.’" Parkinson then listed a litany of renowned British sports journalists and exhorting their character as journalists ending with: "all I can say is—what a toy box."

Included in the service were two readings. One from I Corinthians urging competitors on to glory, and the second, a piece from the late journalist John Rodda about covering the 1948 London Olympics.

At the end, journalists took an "act of dedication" to practice good journalism during the Games.

"May we reflect the spirit of the Olympic Games in our dealings with one another, that competition and friendship may go hand in hand, and that we may encourage and enhance the international community of sports journalists in all that we say and do," the faithful pledged.

Coe for IAAF Presidency

LOCOG chairman Sebastian Coe confirms he will run for the presidency of IAAF, the international athletics federation, once the London Olympics are over.

Coe, himself a two-time Olympic champion in the 1500m, was long-expected to run for the post. A key element in his campaign will likely be London successfully winning the right to stage the 2017 World Athletics Championships.

"I'm ready," he told The Times of London. "I know how to do this."

The term of Lamine Diack, incumbent IAAF president, ends in 2015.

Airport Workers Strike Cancelled

The Public and Commercial Services union representing London airport immigration workers called off a strike during the Olympics.

PCS threatened the strike as part of government discussions regarding job cuts.

Paddy Power Lawsuit Reaction

LOCOG says it’s told Irish bookmaker Paddy Power to remove controversial advertisements because the organizing committee wanted to ensure there was no perception of an official bookmaker for the Games.

"We’re not discoursing people from taking bets," LOCOG comms chief Jackie-Brock Doyle clarified Wednesday. "That’s clearly something that happens right across this country, but we do want to make sure that people do not misunderstand and don’t think they’re an official betting agency."

The ads in question are part of a billboard campaign for an athletics event in London, France sponsored by Paddy Power. In large letters, the ads says "proud sponsor of the largest athletics event in London this year!"and immediately clarifies the London is in France.

Reported in London by Matthew Grayson and Ed Hula III

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