London Latest - LOCOG Dismisses Dow Concerns; Beckham Fronts Paralympics Campaign

LOCOG Dismisses Dow Sponsorship Concerns

London 2012 organizers tell Around the Rings they have no issue with their Dow Chemical sponsorship amid fresh concerns voiced by some British MPs and Amnesty International over the multinational's links to the 1984 toxic gas disaster in Bhopal, India.

"In February, LOCOG put out an open tender for the provision of the wrap. Following a competitive process, Dow was appointed in August," a LOCOG spokesman told ATR.

"All of our suppliers must work within our own sustainable sourcing code and reflect our values and sustainability requirements."

LOCOG chairman Sebastian Coe met Wednesday with British MPs Keith Vaz and Tessa Jowell, the former Olympics minister, to explain why London had partnered with Dow to fund the Olympic Stadium fabric wrap – the last major London 2012 sponsorship – and to alleviate their concerns.

Around a dozen MPs signed a motion tabled by Vaz in October expressing concerns about Dow's 2012 Olympics partnership. The MPs are set to raise their concerns with Dow officials in an upcoming meeting.

Britain's culture and Olympics secretary Jeremy Hunt said Thursday that he acknowledged the concerns of MPs but informed the British Parliament that Dow was also one of the IOC's worldwide partners.

Amnesty International weighed in with its objections to the Olympic sponsorship last week, questioning why LOCOG had struck the deal when its subsidiary, Union Carbide, still has not cleaned up after the gas leak. It said survivors are still seeking justice 27 years later.

Dow told ATR last month that the U.S.-based chemical giant was not responsible for the disaster; it did not own or operate the plant at the time of the incident.

In 1984, a pesticide plant owned by Union Carbide spewed toxic gas into the city of Bhopal. According to the Indian government, around 3,000 people were killed in the following days and 15,000 died subsequently. Dow said it had bought Union Carbide in 2001, long after the issue was resolved.

Supermarket Recruits Beckham for Paralympics Campaign

With 300 days until the 2012 Paralympics, former England football captain David Beckham is unveiled as the face of a U.K. supermarket giant's sponsorship campaign for the Games.

In fronting Sainsbury's Paralympics sponsorship, Beckham will be involved in campaigns such as the 1 Million Kids Challenge designed to encourage school children of all ages to have a go at a Paralympic sport through the distribution of free equipment to schools.

Launched by Sainsbury's in April, the 1 Million Kids Challenge has already received pledges from just under 6,000 schools representing 1.9 million children, almost doubling the target initially set.

"I know the difference leading a healthier and more active life can make to kids and I have been really impressed with the long-term commitment that Sainsbury's has made," said Beckham, who currently stars for the MLS Los Angeles Galaxy.

"I am looking forward to working with Sainsbury's to help U.K. kids have fun, become even more active and introduce them to Paralympic Sports through the 1 Million Kids Challenge."

As part of the campaign, Beckham will appear in a cinema advertising campaign launching on Nov. 25.

Beckham's involvement will support Sainsbury's new commitment to encourage more than 20 million children to enjoy physical activity by 2020 through the 20 by 20 Sustainability Plan and the "Live Well For Less" campaign.

Sainsbury's is the first-ever Paralympics-only sponsor.

Grants for Schools to Plan Their 2012 Games

English schools engaged with the Olympics and Paralympics have been invited to apply for grants of more than $10,000 to get other schools in their area involved in London 2012.

LOCOG has worked closely with the government, who are funding the scheme called "Plan your 2012". It was unveiledThursday by LOCOG chairman Sebastian Coe and children’s minister Tim Loughton.

"Plan your 2012" will offer schools that join the London 2012 "Get Set network" reward and recognition scheme the opportunity to share their passion for the Games, inspiring and engaging other schools, young people and building partnerships across their community.

"We are delighted to be working even more closely with DfE [department for education], and the ‘Plan your 2012’ program of grants will mean that more schools and more young people can be inspired by and benefit from local leadership and best practice in their area," Coe said.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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