Rio 2016 Fires 10 in LOCOG Document Scandal; Sochi 2014 Torch Relay Sponsors

(ATR) Rio 2016 tells Around the Rings 10 employees were fired for improperly downloading LOCOG files.

A spokesman for Rio 2016 said the names of the dismissed employees would not be released before adding: "they were all below managerial level."

Reports surfaced that Rio 2016 staff members downloaded files related to LOCOG’s security plans.

In a statement released by Rio 2016, the organizing committee admitted the transgression, saying: "some of its employees who, due to the partnership between the two organisations, provided services to the London 2012 Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), were found to have downloaded LOCOG documents without authorization.

"This displayed an attitude contrary to the ethical principles and mutual trust shared by the two organizations. Those involved were identified and the leadership of Rio 2016 and LOCOG acted jointly and quickly to repair the situation. All of the documents were recovered and returned, and the employees were dismissed by Rio 2016.

"Rio 2016 was represented by close to 200 employees during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and stresses that this was an isolated case.

"All of the activities of Rio 2016 are guided by the principles of ethical behavior, responsibility and transparency," the statement added.

London’s The Telegraph newspaper quotes a LOCOG spokesperson saying: "the Rio organizing committee acted swiftly and returned the files promptly."

Coca-Cola, Ingosstrakh "Presenting Partners" for 2014 Relay

Coca-Cola and Ingosstrakh were named as two presenting partners of the Sochi 2014 torch relay.

The announcement was made Friday for what is expected to be the longest torch relay in Winter Olympic history.

Under the agreement, Coke, sponsor of the relay since 1992, will "create a celebratory atmosphere" around the relay with music and entertainment along the sidelines.

Ingosstrakh is the insurance company for the relay, proving life and freight insurance as well as in-city entertainment during the relay.

Around the Ringsis told that Sochi sponsor Russian Railroads is a likely candidate as a top-tier torch relay sponsor as well.

The railway company would help transport the Olympic Flame and Relay on its 120-day journey across Russia.

"The agreement signed today is of great importance to us, and Coca-Cola is proud of the opportunityto once again be a partner of the Olympic movement and the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games," said Zoran Vucinic, Coca-Cola, President of Russia, Ukraine & Belarus Business Unit. "We are honored to bring the Olympic Torch Relay to Russia and to give the chance to every person in this great country to become a part of history."

Aleksey Sokolov, Ingosstrakh, Deputy Director General, said: "The Olympic Torch Relay is a significant event for Russia. It shows that the Olympics are more than just a sporting event and that the Games bring people close together."

He added: "What is particularly pleasing is that this is the second time in its 65-year history that Ingosstrakh has supported the Olympic Games in our country. 32 years ago, the company was the general insurer of the 1980 Olympics. We carefully safeguard our traditions and are sure that this time, we will once again be able to carry out all the obligations we have taken on in good faith, and give people a party that they will remember for many years to come."

Written by Ed Hula III.

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