London Bits - Games Related Odds and Ends

July 29, 2012

Shortage of Security? No Wonder
According to The Mail hundreds of security staff brought in for the Olympics are being forced to camp out 25 miles from London on Box Hill in Surrey and are being fined 100 pounds if they arrive late to work. The workers “many of whom are students, have to supply their own tents, sleeping bags, food and water for the next three weeks,” the paper reported today. The paper reported that there are not only fines for being late, but also 99-pound fines for “poor behavior,” including “Major misdeeds such as having a poor attitude or appearing drunk while wearing the uniform.” The camp has no electricity or running water and just six showers and six lavatories for the estimated 250 security staff living on the site until Aug. 12th. Yikes!

No Empty Seats Allowed  
Organizers of the Games have vowed to investigate why there were empty seats at sold out sessions of swimming and gymnastics Saturday, the London papers reported today. “Lord Coe has promised to name and shame sponsors who do not turn up,” reported The Mail. The London Organizing Committee has suggested it was the accredited Olympic family, media, sponsors and athletes. A LOCOG statement stated, “Many of our venues were packed to the rafters today. Where there are empty seats, we will look at who should have been sitting in the seats and why they did not attend.”

Missing Millionaires
The National British Lottery staged a special “EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle” to commemorate the Olympics Opening Ceremony Friday night. There were one hundred winners but only 35 have so far claimed their prize. The National Lottery is searching for the rest. Maybe they should check up on Box Hill.

The Secret  
London was so careful to guard the secret of the Olympic cauldron that dress rehearsals were held in “the dead of night,” says The Sunday Telegraph. Cauldron designer, Thomas Heatherwick, kept even his mother in the dark and the cauldron was kept hidden under a black cloth beneath the stage.

They’re On a Boat
There has been a bit of carping at Eton Dorney among the teams and athletes who have to spend a significant amount of time traveling by bus to and from the Olympic dorms at Royal Holloway while “Team GB,” is staying nearby and being shuttled onto the venue on a boat.

For 2012 Olympic Games news, features and daily quotes from Team USA athletes, coaches, staff and family members, visit http://www.usrowing.org/Pressbox/2012Olympics.aspx.

Ed Moran

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