Rio-Gate Update
Brazil’s sport minister issues the first response from the government to Rio-Gate, the theft of documents by Rio 2016 observers to the London Games.
Minister Aldo Rebelo says Rio 2016 has taken the right steps, with 10 staff members fired after the thefts were exposed.The IT system for London 2012 was able to monitor who downloaded the files, which are said to have dealt with marketing and security.
"It’s a lamentable episode involving two private entities – the Olympic organizing committees of London 2012 and Rio 2016," Rebelo said in a statement.
"The Rio 2016 committee acted correctly to investigate the incident, along with the London committee, to punish those responsible. The behavior of these people was unacceptable and does not express the attitude of trust and harmony which has marked the cooperation between the two countries in their preparation of the Olympic and Paralympic Games," said the statement from Rebelo.
An official with London 2012 tells Around the Rings the security breach will not jeopardize the transfer of knowledge process underway between London and Rio. That includes the week-long debrief between the two cities taking place in mid-November.
Both London 2012 chair Sebastian Coe and chief operating officer Paul Deighton are expected to attend the Rio debrief along with selected staff.
Last Chance for London 2012 Shop
London 2012’s online shop will close within the week, LOCOG announced Monday.
Sunday is the last chance to buy official Olympic and Paralympic posters such as "LOndOn 2O12" by Rachel Whiteread and "Birds 2012" by Tracey Emin before the store shutters Sept. 30.
"‘These brilliant posters by some of the UK’s leading artists will be a fitting reminder of the high quality, skill and creativity demonstrated during the London 2012 Games," said LOCOG chair Sebastian Coe.
Images by Fiona Banner, Michael Craig-Martin, Martin Creed, Tracey Emin, Anthea Hamilton, Howard Hodgkin, Gary Hume, Sarah Morris, Chris Ofili, Bridget Riley, Bob and Roberta Smith and Rachel Whiteread run $11.35 and will still be available from retail outlets after the shop is gone.
Future Secure for London 2012 Furniture
Glasgow 2014 will reuse up to 300,000 pieces of furniture from London 2012.
The collection is getting packed into 350 shipping containers bound for Scotland as part of a sponsorship unveiled Tuesday with RGS Ltd, now the official furniture provider of the Commonwealth Games.
"This is a tangible legacy from Glasgow 2014’s positive collaboration with London 2012," said Glasgow 2014 CEO David Grevemberg.
"Sustainability is very high on our agenda and we are looking forward to working with a company who has previously been recognized for their work on producing sustainable outcomes from major sporting events."
RGS also supplied furniture, fittings and equipment for Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 as well as the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Among the items from London 2012 expected to be recycled for Glasgow 2014 are diving umpire chairs, powered trolleys, more than 80,000 folding chairs and the furnishings from almost 18,000 bedroom spaces in Olympic Village.
Olympic Trains, Automobiles on the Cheap
Shares of Hornby are reeling – and so are prices – after the British toymaker revealed that poor sales of Olympics merchandise will deliver a $1.6 million blow.
Reuters reports that the firm was Tuesday’s biggest loser on the London Stock Exchange, down 38 percent from Monday and more than a third from the beginning of 2012.
Hornby had expected its London 2012 buses, taxis, model Javelin trains and more to bring $3.2 million in profit, but major retailers resorted to "deep price discounting" once sales started coming up short.
"The consequence of this for Hornby was that retailers lost confidence in many categories of London 2012 merchandise, and repeat orders for our products were cancelled," the company said in a statement.
Horby’s website is showing steep discounts of up to 85 percent for its London 2012 merchandise.
Written by Ed Hula and Matthew Grayson
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