Nike IOC Talks; Mayor Takes Over London Legacy; Medal Ceremony Awaits Shot Putter

Nike in Talks with IOC

IOC members and staff at future Olympic Games and events might wear the Nike swoosh instead of the Mizuno "M".

A Nike exec tells Around the Rings that talks are underway with the IOC but would not confirm what’s on the table.

"We have a good relationship with the IOC, and we have been in discussions with them, but can't comment further than that regarding speculation on a wider partnership with them," says Charlie Brooks, who heads Nike’s Olympic activities.

Officials from the IOC were not available to comment.

Nike would be in line to take over the uniform supplier sponsorship held since the 1990s held by Mizuno. The Osaka-based firm is dropping its relationship with the IOC so that it can be a sponsor of the bid from Tokyo for the 2020 Games. Mizuno chairman Masato Mizuno is also chairman of the Tokyo bid, as well as vice president of the Japan Olympic Committee.

Nike was not a sponsor of the London Olympics, but the U.S. firm is a sponsor for teams and NOCs around the world, such as the U.S., China and Ukraine.

Other firms interested in outfitting the IOC could be Bosco, which is pushing into other countries beyond Russia, as well as Adidas, which was the uniform sponsor for London 2012.

Johnson Takes Over LLDC

Mayor Boris Johnson will personally chair his London Legacy Development Corporation, he announced Wednesday.

"Securing the future of the Olympic and Paralympic legacy and building on the regeneration of east London is a matter of huge importance to me," he said in a statement.

"It is vital that I continue to be at the forefront of the decision-making, driving forward the huge task of delivery. The chairmanship of the LLDC will enable me to do just that, building on what has already been achieved."

Johnson takes over from Daniel Moylan, the Mayor’s aviation advisor and current LLDC chair, who will head a new aviation policy unit to retain London’s place as Europe's most bustling business hub.

"I have had the huge privilege of chairing the Legacy Corporation for the last three months, working with its dedicated staff and getting to know the fantastic, enthusiastic and wonderful people of Stratford and the nearby areas," said Moylan.

"I give up the post with a heavy heart, but knowing that, alongside aviation, the Mayor intends to make this one of the great priorities of his second term and is demonstrating this by taking the Chairmanship of the Legacy Corporation himself."

LLDC, established in April, is charged with continuing the work of the Olympic Park Legacy Company to deliver lasting regeneration to the Stratford area as a result of the Games.

Gold Medal Ceremony Awaits Adams

Shot putter Valerie Adams will get her golden moment Sept. 19, the New Zealand Olympic Committee confirms.

A public celebration on Auckland’s waterfront will greet the reigning Commonwealth, world and now Olympic champion thanks to first-place finisher Nadzeya Ostapchuk’s failure to appeal her positive drug test from London 2012.

With the IAAF rankings already adjusted and the medal received "in good condition" by the IOC, the stage is set for New Zealand governor general Jerry Mateparae to make the presentation before a crowd of more than 2,500, including all five other Kiwi gold medalists from the Games.

"It’s exactly what I wanted," said Adams. "A public celebration on the night I arrive back home is wonderful. I’m looking forward to celebrating the gold medal with the people of New Zealand, as well as my family and members of the New Zealand Olympic team."

NZOC leadership, meanwhile, is asking for answers after the IAAF slappedOstapchuk of Belarus with a"lighter than expected" one-year doping ban.

"The organization trusts that the decision will be closely reviewed by the IAAF and WADA," reads a Wednesday statement, which adds that the NZOC is proposing the World Anti-Doping Agency adopt stronger penalties as well as more stringent testing programs.

"The submissions will also reinforce calls from New Zealand to ban athletes from competing at Olympic Games following significant doping violations," the NZOC said, recalling shades of the IOC’s former "Osaka Rule" that was overturned last year by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Olympic Fever

Watch for some big names to show up for the 31st Olympin Collectors Club Memorabilia Festival from Sept. 28 to 30 in Atlanta.

The city is home to a large number of Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Their alumnae organization has been working with Olympin and will have a reunion in conjunction with the show. That means there will be 15 or more Olympians and Paralympians attending the show at various times. At least 10 will attend the Friday dinner, with more involved on Saturday. Several are planning to have tables on Saturday where they will have memorabilia for show and / or sale. Most will be available for autographs and pictures, including special guest Pat McCormick, the only double and back-to-back gold medalist in women’s diving.

Other confirmedOlympians and Paralympians attending the show include Dennis Berkholtz (handball, 1972 and 1976);Bob Pickens (wrestling, 1964);Mel Pender (athletics, 1968) andTommie Smith (athletics, 1968).

The event is set for the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown. Tables are still available for vendors; a banquet, reception and auction are on the schedule. Admission is free.

To book a table or to check updates, visithttp://www.olympinclub.com/benefits_fair.html.

Written by Matthew Grayson

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