The Guardian reports that some of Britain's top athletes, swimmers and cyclists are still refusing to sign a sponsorship scheme that has been designed to plug a £50M funding gap.
Seemingly they are concerned that they will sign away their rights to earn money from their own sponsorship deals, ie they feel that they can make more money elsewhere.
All very well, but did they not get to their "elevated" sporting positions by using taxpayers' money?
Isn't it time they gave a little back?
I thought that it was simply the thrill of taking part that mattered!
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
The Real Olympic Legacy
Ministers have approved the sale of more than 200 school and community playing fields, despite repeated promises to protect them.
Even in the four years since London was chosen to host the 2012 Olympics, the Government has allowed the sell-off of 49 school sports fields.
In total since Labour came to power in 1997, 203 pitches have been lost. In its 1997 General Election manifesto, Labour pledged to bring the then Tory government's 'policy of forcing schools to sell off playing fields to an end'.
Sacrificed: Since Labour came to power in 1997, 203 pitches have been lost
Opposition MPs said the latest figures made a mockery of the Government's commitment to boost school sport, with every child supposed to be doing five hours a week in the run-up to the Games.
Five years ago, the Government said any future sales would have to be signed off by the Secretary of State and the money raised reinvested in educational facilities.
As well as the playing fields, more than 1,000 other smaller pieces of school land have also been sold off.
Only pieces of land smaller than half an acre can now be sold without being signed off by a minister.
But until March, the limit was an acre, meaning that sizeable areas were being sold off without consent.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families rejected claims that it was allowing schools to cut sports facilities.
It said pitches had never been better protected, and sales were allowed only at closed schools or where land was surplus to school and community needs.
But Tory culture spokesman Jeremy Hunt said: 'Labour insist they are the guardians of school sport yet they have clearly failed, and are continuing to fail, on a key manifesto promise.
The fact that more than 200 pitches have been sold with direct ministerial approval shows Labour's commitment to school sport is nothing more than an empty promise. Their actions simply do not match the rhetoric.'
Margaret Morrissey, of campaign group Parents Outloud, said: 'Despite all the Government's wonderful words on this issue, it seems that when we get to the truth playing fields are still being removed.
'It's something that ministers should be seriously ashamed of.
'One of the excuses we often hear is that an area of AstroTurf is being built instead. But it just isn't the same thing. Children do not run around in the same way and play on a sterile surface.
'Ministers are very keen to be seen playing cricket and football and running around gyms with schoolchildren. But when there are playing fields disappearing, they're nowhere to be seen.'
Helen Griffiths, of the charity Fields for Trust, which campaigns to protect playing fields and outdoor sports facilities, said the Government deserved credit for tightening the rules, adding: 'The number of sales has been reduced in the last two years.
'There has been a change in the law which means the threshold for ministerial approval has now been brought down from one acre to half an acre.
'It means the sale of junior pitches and smaller sites now have to be signed off.
'But it's clear there have been a considerable number of sales over recent years. That is a real worry.'
Dawn Primarolo, Minister for Children and Young People, said: 'School sport has never been as well-funded.
'We have ended the scandal of local authorities being forced to sell playing fields simply to pay for essential repairs, which saw more than 10,000 playing fields sold off between 1979 and 1997.
'School playing fields have never been better protected. The Government will not sign off any sale of surplus playing fields unless it is an absolute last resort and no sale goes ahead unless the proceeds are invested in school sports or educational facilities.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1202881/200-playing-fields-sold-Labour-How-justified-ahead-Olympics-ask-critics.html#ixzz0MfIOYwSi
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Even in the four years since London was chosen to host the 2012 Olympics, the Government has allowed the sell-off of 49 school sports fields.
In total since Labour came to power in 1997, 203 pitches have been lost. In its 1997 General Election manifesto, Labour pledged to bring the then Tory government's 'policy of forcing schools to sell off playing fields to an end'.
Sacrificed: Since Labour came to power in 1997, 203 pitches have been lost
Opposition MPs said the latest figures made a mockery of the Government's commitment to boost school sport, with every child supposed to be doing five hours a week in the run-up to the Games.
Five years ago, the Government said any future sales would have to be signed off by the Secretary of State and the money raised reinvested in educational facilities.
As well as the playing fields, more than 1,000 other smaller pieces of school land have also been sold off.
Only pieces of land smaller than half an acre can now be sold without being signed off by a minister.
But until March, the limit was an acre, meaning that sizeable areas were being sold off without consent.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families rejected claims that it was allowing schools to cut sports facilities.
It said pitches had never been better protected, and sales were allowed only at closed schools or where land was surplus to school and community needs.
But Tory culture spokesman Jeremy Hunt said: 'Labour insist they are the guardians of school sport yet they have clearly failed, and are continuing to fail, on a key manifesto promise.
The fact that more than 200 pitches have been sold with direct ministerial approval shows Labour's commitment to school sport is nothing more than an empty promise. Their actions simply do not match the rhetoric.'
Margaret Morrissey, of campaign group Parents Outloud, said: 'Despite all the Government's wonderful words on this issue, it seems that when we get to the truth playing fields are still being removed.
'It's something that ministers should be seriously ashamed of.
'One of the excuses we often hear is that an area of AstroTurf is being built instead. But it just isn't the same thing. Children do not run around in the same way and play on a sterile surface.
'Ministers are very keen to be seen playing cricket and football and running around gyms with schoolchildren. But when there are playing fields disappearing, they're nowhere to be seen.'
Helen Griffiths, of the charity Fields for Trust, which campaigns to protect playing fields and outdoor sports facilities, said the Government deserved credit for tightening the rules, adding: 'The number of sales has been reduced in the last two years.
'There has been a change in the law which means the threshold for ministerial approval has now been brought down from one acre to half an acre.
'It means the sale of junior pitches and smaller sites now have to be signed off.
'But it's clear there have been a considerable number of sales over recent years. That is a real worry.'
Dawn Primarolo, Minister for Children and Young People, said: 'School sport has never been as well-funded.
'We have ended the scandal of local authorities being forced to sell playing fields simply to pay for essential repairs, which saw more than 10,000 playing fields sold off between 1979 and 1997.
'School playing fields have never been better protected. The Government will not sign off any sale of surplus playing fields unless it is an absolute last resort and no sale goes ahead unless the proceeds are invested in school sports or educational facilities.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1202881/200-playing-fields-sold-Labour-How-justified-ahead-Olympics-ask-critics.html#ixzz0MfIOYwSi
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Olympic Tickets Costs Rise
Unsurprisingly statements made in 2004 by Lord Coe, that the minimum cost of tickets to see the London Olympics 2012 would be around £15 are proving to be a tad exaggerated.
Olympics organisers have back peddled on the £15 starting price, and now say that the price quoted by Lord Coe was based on Dollars and therefore the price has now moved upwards.
Needless to say, the organisers still claim that the tickets will be "highly affordable".
We shall see.
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Olympics organisers have back peddled on the £15 starting price, and now say that the price quoted by Lord Coe was based on Dollars and therefore the price has now moved upwards.
Needless to say, the organisers still claim that the tickets will be "highly affordable".
We shall see.
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Monday, 27 July 2009
Boris Was Right
Boris Johnson was right, when he proudly declared in Beijing that "ping pong is coming home".Quarterly tracking figures from Sport England show that, of the 31 sports measured according to how many people played them at least once a week, only table tennis recorded an increase. Nine (including football, rugby and gymnastics) showed a decline.
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
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www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
HMRC published the Consultation Resposnes Document to its draft Charter last week.
The consultation attracted an unprecedented 1900 responses:
– 124 online,
- 1748 youth (aged 15-24 years), and
- 54 written responses from representative bodies, businesses and individuals (including HMRC staff).
I am surprised that 15 year olds have even the slightest understanding/interest in matters concerning taxation.
Two phrases:
- "purse relentlesly", and
- "bend or break the rules"
caused some angst amongst the respondents. HMRC have modified them accordingly:
"3.31 The phrase 'pursue relentlessly' is part of the HMRC Vision. The language is appropriate for internal use and it accurately reflects our role. Given the concerns expressed we have changed the term to 'tackle' in the Charter, however the sentiment remains the same.
3.32 The phrase 'bend or break the rules' is also part of the HMRC Vision. Internally HMRC staff understand the difference between evasion and avoidance. We have amended the wording in the Charter to make a clearer distinction for an external audience between 'deliberately break the rules' and those who 'bend the rules' And the additional notes make more clear our approach to tax avoidance as compared to tax evasion."
Given this change in the Charter, is not alos appropriate that the HMRC Vision is also changed to reflect this, lest it cause confusion internally?
BTW am I seeing things, or is that Barak Obama in the top right hand picture on page one?
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
The consultation attracted an unprecedented 1900 responses:
– 124 online,
- 1748 youth (aged 15-24 years), and
- 54 written responses from representative bodies, businesses and individuals (including HMRC staff).
I am surprised that 15 year olds have even the slightest understanding/interest in matters concerning taxation.
Two phrases:
- "purse relentlesly", and
- "bend or break the rules"
caused some angst amongst the respondents. HMRC have modified them accordingly:
"3.31 The phrase 'pursue relentlessly' is part of the HMRC Vision. The language is appropriate for internal use and it accurately reflects our role. Given the concerns expressed we have changed the term to 'tackle' in the Charter, however the sentiment remains the same.
3.32 The phrase 'bend or break the rules' is also part of the HMRC Vision. Internally HMRC staff understand the difference between evasion and avoidance. We have amended the wording in the Charter to make a clearer distinction for an external audience between 'deliberately break the rules' and those who 'bend the rules' And the additional notes make more clear our approach to tax avoidance as compared to tax evasion."
Given this change in the Charter, is not alos appropriate that the HMRC Vision is also changed to reflect this, lest it cause confusion internally?
BTW am I seeing things, or is that Barak Obama in the top right hand picture on page one?
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Police Powers
It seems that ZaNuLabour have given the police some quite extraordinary powers in the run up to the 2012 London Olympics. The police will be entitled to enter private homes and seize political posters during the London 2012 Olympics.
Those who break the rules could be fined up to £20K.
The powers were introduced by the Olympics Act 2006, and passed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, in theory to preserve the monopoly of official advertisers on the London 2012 site.
The powers allow advertising posters or hoardings placed in shop or home to be removed. However, as with all ZaNuLabour legislation, it has been drafted so "broadly" that it also includes 'non-commercial material' - which could include legitimate campaign literature.
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Those who break the rules could be fined up to £20K.
The powers were introduced by the Olympics Act 2006, and passed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, in theory to preserve the monopoly of official advertisers on the London 2012 site.
The powers allow advertising posters or hoardings placed in shop or home to be removed. However, as with all ZaNuLabour legislation, it has been drafted so "broadly" that it also includes 'non-commercial material' - which could include legitimate campaign literature.
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Terrorist Contingency Fund
The organisers of the London 2012 Olympics have released £19M from the £2BN contingency fund, in order to improve the protection of Olympic sites from terrorist attack.
Of the £2BN contingency fund, £700M has been released.
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Of the £2BN contingency fund, £700M has been released.
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Monday, 20 July 2009
Contemptuous Arrogance and Greed
In a display of arrogance and greed, the organisers of London 2012 have threatened to sue a removal company.
Their crime?
Since inception, 22 years ago, Olympic Removals have used the Olympic rings logo on its vans.
Needless to say, because the Olympics 2012 is primarily about money, those in charge of it are spoiling for a fight with anyone who has the "temerity" to infringe on the "hallowed" and "revered" "trademark" of the Olympics.
Founder/owner of Olympics Removals, Steve Tanner said:
"We are not going to be bullied. This is all about money.
It's disgusting. The Olympics used to be about more than money – the whole spirit has been lost."
Were it possible, given that the word "Olympics" is also trade marked, you can be sure that the Olympics organisers would try to charge everyone whoever used the word in speech or written form.
The Olympics is about money, not sport.
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Their crime?
Since inception, 22 years ago, Olympic Removals have used the Olympic rings logo on its vans.
Needless to say, because the Olympics 2012 is primarily about money, those in charge of it are spoiling for a fight with anyone who has the "temerity" to infringe on the "hallowed" and "revered" "trademark" of the Olympics.
Founder/owner of Olympics Removals, Steve Tanner said:
"We are not going to be bullied. This is all about money.
It's disgusting. The Olympics used to be about more than money – the whole spirit has been lost."
Were it possible, given that the word "Olympics" is also trade marked, you can be sure that the Olympics organisers would try to charge everyone whoever used the word in speech or written form.
The Olympics is about money, not sport.
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Friday, 17 July 2009
Snouts In The Trough
How reassuring to see that, despite the current recession and a budget that is out of control, those tasked with keeping the costs of the London Olympics 2012 under control are making sure that they are personally not in danger of facing any undue financial hardship.
CLM, a consortium of surveyors overseeing the Olympic construction project, received £151M last year (double what had been previously paid).
On top of this largess to the consultants, Olympic bosses found the time and the funds to award themselves some very generous pay rises.
Staff at the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) took home £30M, including £2M of bonuses. David Higgins, CEO, received took home £537K (generously deferring half of his £201K bonus until 2012).
Howard Shiplee, director of construction, claimed £19,343 in expenses, including £11,478 on hotels and nearly £2,280 on taxis.
It is reassuring to know that those who are running this "venture" on behalf of the taxpayer, really know and understand the true value of money.
Our money safe in their hands!
Yes?
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Cuts
Over £20M per annum, for the next 3 years, will be cut from the London budget to cover irregularities in the 2012 Olympics accounts.
The black hole (estimated at being between £60M-£100M) in the accounts means that the London Development Agency, the Mayor of London's economic and business unit, does not have sufficient reserves to cover compensatory commitments owed to businesses forcibly relocated from the Olympic Park.
KPMG are conducting a forensic investigation into the irregularities, and will issue a report at the end of July.
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
The black hole (estimated at being between £60M-£100M) in the accounts means that the London Development Agency, the Mayor of London's economic and business unit, does not have sufficient reserves to cover compensatory commitments owed to businesses forcibly relocated from the Olympic Park.
KPMG are conducting a forensic investigation into the irregularities, and will issue a report at the end of July.
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
No Cuts?
In spite of the recession, Lord Coe continues to insist that the "fluid" budget for the London 2012 Olympics (currently standing at £12BN, including £2BN running costs) will not be cut.
Given that the government is planning to make cuts in the public sector of up to 30%, quite how he can make such an unrealistic and frankly ridiculous promise is a mystery.
No project or spending commitment is ringfenced. The Olympics is most certainly a target for cuts, as it is a badly managed waste of money that was not professionally costed at the time of inception.
Coe is quoted:
"The budgets are set so stories that the Olympics might suffer from cuts in public spending are inaccurate."
Coe is wrong, a budget is just that - a budget.
Until the money is spent, the budget can be adjusted up or down (until now, that adjustment has been upwards). Coe knows from his time as an MP that no budget is set in stone, to suggest otherwise is highly misleading and demonstrates and ostrich "head in the sand" mentality.
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Monday, 13 July 2009
Brothel Funds Olympic Bid
Full marks to Logan Campbell from New Zealand for using his initiative wrt sourcing funds for his Olympics 2012 bid to win a medal at taekwondo, he has opened a 14 bedroom brothel.
New Zealand decriminalised prostitution six years ago, and brothels are allowed to operate with few restrictions.
However, Team NZ funding manager John Schofield is not happy. He is quoted in the Sunday Star Times:
"Selection takes into account not just performance but also the athlete's ability to serve as an example to the youth of the country."
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
New Zealand decriminalised prostitution six years ago, and brothels are allowed to operate with few restrictions.
However, Team NZ funding manager John Schofield is not happy. He is quoted in the Sunday Star Times:
"Selection takes into account not just performance but also the athlete's ability to serve as an example to the youth of the country."
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Friday, 10 July 2009
Jowell Contradicts Johnson
Tessa Jowell has contradicted Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, over the legacy of the London Olympic Stadium.
Johnson said last week that it would be "very foolish to rule out" retaining at least a 50,000 capacity as England bids to host the 2018 World Cup
However, Jowell claims that it will not be a potential venue for the 2018 World Cup.
"We don't need another football stadium, we have got Wembley.
Funding the maintenance of a stadium between 2012 and 2018 is quite a stretch, so I think we will continue to develop the plan that we have for the Olympic Stadium."
The one small problem with Jowell blocking this is that she will be leaving Parliament at the next election, some two years before the Games. The final decision over the legacy of the stadium will therefore be made by someone else.
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Johnson said last week that it would be "very foolish to rule out" retaining at least a 50,000 capacity as England bids to host the 2018 World Cup
However, Jowell claims that it will not be a potential venue for the 2018 World Cup.
"We don't need another football stadium, we have got Wembley.
Funding the maintenance of a stadium between 2012 and 2018 is quite a stretch, so I think we will continue to develop the plan that we have for the Olympic Stadium."
The one small problem with Jowell blocking this is that she will be leaving Parliament at the next election, some two years before the Games. The final decision over the legacy of the stadium will therefore be made by someone else.
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Cyber Crime
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Janet Williams of Scotland Yard has warned that international criminal networks are preparing to target the London 2012 Olympics, using the Internet to carry out their frauds.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Williams, speaking at Association of Chief Police Officers annual conference, said:
"There is a lot of work to be done with e-crime and the Olympics. First of all we need to get the money sorted and there is an imperative about that now.
We know from Canada and Beijing that the threats are real and they have grown in the last six months.
These are all potentially subject to abuses and we need to understand these and put plans in place very quickly now.
That is a projected area of work and it is where e-crime meets the more significant threats and terrorism threats."
Needless to say, the police are asking for more money to help them fight the 2012 threat. Funny how the Olympics is used by all and sundry as an excuse to get the begging bowl out!
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Monday, 6 July 2009
Jowell To Quit
The hapless Olympics Minister, Tessa Jowell, is to quit Parliament at the next election (latest 2010). Which means that she will be quitting at least two years before the London games.
Will this make any difference to the Olympics?
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Will this make any difference to the Olympics?
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Legacy Targets Falling Short
The London Assembly Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee stated in a report today that organisers of the London 2012 Olympics are falling short on delivering employment targets, tourism strategy and sports participation.
Quote:
"The promise of a legacy was a significant factor in London winning the bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Urban and social regeneration, and increased sports participation, were to be the hallmarks of these Games.
Some aspects are on track, but there are still areas that need more attention to deliver the promises that were made."
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Quote:
"The promise of a legacy was a significant factor in London winning the bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Urban and social regeneration, and increased sports participation, were to be the hallmarks of these Games.
Some aspects are on track, but there are still areas that need more attention to deliver the promises that were made."
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
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