Monday Memo -- Mayer Trial; London Chefs; 15 Years Since Atlanta

Mayer Trial Underway

The trial of infamous ski coach Walter Mayer begins Monday in Vienna over charges stemming from the drug scandal at the 2006 Games.

The case grew out of a raid by Italian police during the Turin Olympics at private housing used by Austrian athletes. Among the evidence seized were materials that could be used for blood doping. As well as sanctioning athletes and coaches, the IOC fined the Austrian Olympic Committee $1 million, a fine paid by the Austrian Ski Federation.

Mayer is accused of supplying human growth hormone to his countrymen.

Chefs de Mission Meet

Upwards of 200 chefs de mission are in London this week for their one-year-to-go gathering until Games.

Funding is provided for all 202 NOCs invited to the Olympics to attend these meetings running Tuesday through Friday in the 2012 host city.

It’s a chance for delegates totour the Olympic Park and other competition venues, meet one-on-one with LOCOG and work out details surrounding the hospitality, accommodations and other services needed by an NOC during Games-time.

15 Years Since Atlanta

This week’s Tuesday Talk is with Around the Rings editor Ed Hula and Olympics expert George Hirthler, the man behind Atlanta’s 1996 bid book.

Hula and Hirthler reminisce about the ups and downs of a Games marked by tragedy, triumph and a legacy as complex as the city itself.

Test Events in Badminton, Beach Volleyball

Around the Rings will be on the scene at Horse Guards Parade in London for beach volleyball's Olympic test event running Tuesday through Sunday.

Also this week, the badminton world championships at Wembley Arena Indoor Stadium double as the sport's test event.

Written by Matthew Grayson.