Olympic Newsdesk -- Rogge on London Mascots; Landis Needs to Show Proof

Rogge Backs 2012 Mascots

IOC President Jacques Rogge today praised the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic mascots that have faced some mauling in the media since their launch on Wednesday.

They have been compared to Smurfs, Teletubbies and Cyclops.

But Rogge today gave the one-eyed metallic mascot designs his blessing.

"The announcement of the mascots is an important milestone, as we head for the London Games," he said in a statement to Around the Rings.

"Wenlock and Mandeville are part of a compelling narrative that supports the vision of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and help give them a strong personality," Rogge added.

British IOC member Craig Reedie said he is on board with the mascots.

"Kids love them" he tells ATR.

"There is a good reaction from youngsters all around the world. We can--and will--use them to tell countless stories over the next two years".

Patrick Hickey, IOC member from Ireland says he’s also sold on the mascots.

"I think they are fantastic and also the video on the website that comes with them" he tells ATR.

"It's really great to appeal to the youth."

The steel mascots, which have been turned into cartoon animations, are designed to help broaden the appeal of the Games, particularly to the younger generation. Licensed products with the mascots are expected to contribute up to $22 million in merchandising revenue to LOCOG.

The outcry over the mascots resembles the scathing criticism of the jigsaw, graffiti-style London 2012 logo that was launched in June 2007.

The 2012 emblem was widely condemned at the time. Contemporary designers variously described the logo as "confusing" and "a puerile mess", while some members of the public condemned it as "mind-numbingly disappointing" and a "complete and utter disaster".

Rogge, Fahey, Say Landis Needs Proof

IOC president Jacques Rogge and WADA chief John Fahey said Floyd Landis needs to provide evidence for his accusations that Lance Armstrong doped.

Rogge told the Associated Press "He has to bring proof that this is true. These are accusations that need to be corroborated by proof. You can't condemn without proof. He would be better off by giving evidence to corroborate that, otherwise he is risking a lot of libels ... You can only sanction an athlete with tangible proof."

Fahey echoed Rogge’s sentiments.

"If he has evidence, he should make that evidence available to the [U.S. Anti Doping Agency] or [International Cycling Union] and I'm sure if there is any substance to that evidence, either of those bodies would act," Fahey said. "There will always be rumors about it."

On Thursday, Landis admitted to doping and implicated Armstrong, his former teammate, as having used performance enhancing drugs. Armstrong denied Landis allegations saying Landis had nocredibility.

Landis won the 2006 Tour de France, but had his title stripped after a two year legal battle found he violated anti-doping rules. Landis rode with Armstrong on Team U.S. Postal Service from 2002-2004.

Both presidents praised Landis for his admission.

"The fact that he is coming out is something that we applaud," Rogge said. "It will clear his conscience. An admission is proof under the WADA Code and you should be penalized."

"There was absolutely no doubt about the decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sport on his final appeal," Fahey said. "They saw him as being a cheat, and in this context, he has now admitted it, and I am pleased. There is no contrition, however, no apology, and I regret that."

First UN/IOC Forum Underway

The IOC will hold a forum with the UN in Lausanne today and tomorrow to discuss ways in which the IOC can improve its leverage throughout the world, now that it is an official observer at the UN.

Jacques Rogge opened the forum at the Olympic Museumon Friday.

"The aim of this Forum is to generate further action on the ground that contributes to the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals" he said. "We cannot change the world but we believe that, through sport, we can make better citizens."

Wilfried Lemke, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General on Sport for Development and Peace said "the IOC and the Olympic Movement have a social responsibility to bring sport and its values to all fields of society. If sport on its own cannot drive this agenda, it can however exchange and partner with those whose responsibility and expertise is to make peace and drive national development, such as the UN."

Work Begins on 2012 Stadium Field of Play

Two years on from the start of construction on the 2012 Olympic Stadium in east London, work has begun on the field of play.

The center of the $775 million stadium is being cleared to allow foundation work to start for the running track and turf for the field events.

The Olympic Delivery Authority said Friday that work was progressing well on covering the stadium roof and the first batch of black and white seats would be fitted this summer. The venue is scheduled to be ready by July next year.

LOCOG chairman Sebastian Coe said: "The Olympic Stadium will be the centerpiece of the Games hosting the athletics events and the opening and closing ceremonies. In 2012, we will see 2000 international athletes in the stadium competing in some of the most exciting sporting events and we will also watch opening and closing ceremonies that will showcase London and the UK."

Hugh Robertson, Britain's new minister for sport and the Olympics, said the 2012 stadium had already become a major symbol of 2012 and "an emblem of the UK’s dedication to international sporting excellence".

"I can’t wait to see the first athletes competing on the track in just over two years time, and inspiring a whole new generation of young people to take up sport," he said.

Written by Mark Bisson and Ed Hula III.