MOD Skips Missile Forum; LOCOG Unveils Victory Ceremony Designs

MOD Skips Missile Forum

The Ministry of Defense tells Around the Rings that it was "never their intention" to attend a public forum about the Olympic missile sites.

A representative from the MOD was invited to attend a public forum held in the Olympic Borough of Tower Hamlets to explain the rationale behind placing surface-to-air missiles on residential homes during London 2012.

Organizers of the forum were led to believe someone from the MOD would attend but said that they pulled out at the last minute. However, a spokesman from the MOD told ATR that this was incorrect.

"Nobody from the MOD ever said that they were going to attend the forum," the spokesman said. "It was never our intention to go along – I think someone tweeted that we might attend but this was incorrect."

"We’ve already had a series of community engagement meetings at the sites where people have had the opportunity to come along and meet representatives from the MOD. They have also been able to continually get in contact by phone or email."

Residents are outraged at what they see as "arrogance" and "insensitivity" from the MOD in not discussing the issue enough, but the Ministry claims there is little left to discuss.

"We’ve got nothing new to say," the MOD spokesman added. "We’re just waiting for the decision to be made by the government on whether they will be deployed – we expect that decision to come within the next two weeks."

"If the go-ahead is given, we will begin a new round of engagement programs with the local community to update them."

The missile sites could be placed at six locations across East and South London – dummy missiles were placed at two locations during the security test earlier this year.

LOCOG Unveils Victory Ceremony Designs

LOCOG revealed the designs for the victory ceremonies Friday, including the podiums, costumes, make-up and flowers.

The ‘royal purple’ design of the podiums and costumes has been created over the last eight months by students at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London.

The students said their costume design is inspired by ancient Greece as well British heritage – and they will be seen across 805 victory ceremonies at the Games.

"The Victory Ceremonies mark the moment athletes can celebrate and share their achievements with fans in the stadiums and a worldwide TV audience," LOCOG Chair Sebastian Coe said.

"I’m delighted that we have worked with not only with established British designers but also with the next generation of designers to create this special moment for them."

Torch Relay Update

The Torch Relay will cross the Mersey River on Friday as it makes its journey from Bolton to Liverpool.

Travelling 94 miles, the Flame will be carried by 157 Torchbearers before arriving at the Evening Celebration in Liverpool, where a cauldron will be lit to mark the culmination of the day’s festivities.

The Relay has already taken in quite a few sights so far on its 2-week journey. Friday it will pass through Knowsley Safari Park, giving the wildlife a chance to see the Flame.

The Flame will stay in Liverpool overnight and cross the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man on Saturday.

On Sunday, it will continue its journey to Ireland.

Smallest German Team in 22 Years

Germany will send its smallest Olympic team to this year’s Games since reunification in 1990.

The news came Thursday as the Germans Olympic Committee (DOSB) announced the first 85 athletes who made the team.

"The German Olympic team will consist of approximately 380 athletes," Chef de Mission Michael Vesper explained."Although we expect the smallest team since the reunification, it will be powerful."

DOSB president Thomas Bach added: "We in Germany are appealing to our athletes to succeed in the toughest competition in Olympic history," DOSB president Thomas Bach said.

This was the first of three nomination rounds; the second will take place on June 25 and the third on July 4.

For a complete listing of the selected athletes, click here.

Ten British Olympians Announced

Seven fencers and three taekwondo athletes are the newest members of Team GB.

Jade Jones, Martin Stamper and Sarah Stevenson were announced as the taekwondo additions on Friday.

"I have always stated we have committed as a team to be the best prepared team at London 2012 and we are still on track to do that," Taekwondo Team Leader Gary Hall said. "No one can guarantee results but these guys will be ready to perform and there will have been no stone left unturned in the pursuit of excellence for these Olympic Games."

The fencers are: Louise Bond-Williams, James Davis, James Honeybone, Richard Kruse, Corinna Lawrence, Natalia Sheppard and Sophie Williams.

"I think that we have a really well balanced team and I am delighted to be leading such a dedicated and talented group of athletes," Fencing Performance Manager Alex Newton said. "I have every confidence that each member of the Team will deliver a very competitive and credible performance at London 2012."

Team GB will compete in epee, foil and saber in the Games.

However, their selection was met with confusion and disappointment by some fencing fans.

"The BOA needs to question [British Fencing]," commenter Paul N-M posted on the BOA’s website. "It is plainly against all natural justice and screamingly obviously dilutes our chances."

User "appalled" was more direct: "We should be sending our strongest fencers to this event. We will be an international laughing stock (if we are not already)."

Of the 13 comments on the fencing selection, most were overwhelmingly negative. By contrast, the announcement of the taekwondo team had no comments.

Australian Gymnasts

Australia selected its first two gymnasts for the Olympic Team.

Joshua Jefferis will compete in individual men’s artistic gymnastics and Janine Murray will participate in the individual rhythmic gymnastics.

"It's a dream come true and I'm striving to do my very best to make my teammates, family, friends and country proud," Jefferis said in a statement. "I can't wait to fly the green and gold in front of the world and promote gymnastics which I've devoted my life to."

The trampoline and women’s artistic gymnastics selections will be announced at a later date.

Reported in London by Christian Radnedge and in Atlanta by Hannah Reid

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