"Brand name taped over on hand dryers in gents at canoe slalom. Corporate sponsor policing gone mad. BTW everyone, they're made by Elliott. "Therefore folks you know what to do the next time that you have a "modular space" issue, go out and hire Elliott just to annoy the brand police!
"London's mayor has said that "a lot" of the Olympic Games lanes have been "turned off". He was speaking on his way out of the daily COBRA meeting of security officials. There will be more details shortly.Quite right!
He added that even the head of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, has refused to use the lanes that are specially designated for Games officials and athletes."
"Zil lanes exist solely to get officials to the Games quickly. Seatgate shows they're not going to the Games!"Quite so!
"In a dual celebration of the capital’s heritage and its world-beating milliners, 20 statues have had headwear specially created for them by 21 top designers, including Philip Treacy and Stephen Jones, as well as emerging ones.Certain other statues in London have also been given a temporary hat, the fill list can be seen in the Evening Standard.
The project, called Hatwalk, was sparked by Mayor Boris Johnson musing on how to encourage the public to look up and learn about the dozens of sculptures of famous figures in the capital."
"It's hard to know just how well it will turn out.Yes, that will help "restore understanding!
There are a few things that were disconcerting: the stories about the private security firm not having enough people, supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging."
"REMINDER: Central line is still operating with severe delays."No surprises there then!
"You love your job and the people tooMaking a difference is what you doConsider all you have at stakeThe time is now, don't make a mistakeCause the enemy prowls, wanting to attackBut we're on the wall, we've got your backSo get out front and take the leadAnd be the winner you were born to be.Calling G4S, protecting the WorldG4S, so your dreams can unfurl24/7 every night and dayOur warriors stand ready so don't be afraid. "
"This has caused a lot of ill-feeling and frankly some of us would rather not be going to anything at all."I suggest that if you feel that way, you boycott the Games.
"Any objects or clothing bearing political statements or overt commercial identification intended for ‘ambush marketing’"The phrase "clusterfuck" springs to mind!
“That makes me feel safer, so I think it's a good thing.”That being the case, why did the government and Locog originally contract G4S to guard Olympic venues?
"Coca‑Cola has never intended to, and will not be making, any corporate or income tax exemption claim with respect to any activity concerning our involvement with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
More than 90% of the Coca‑Cola employees working at the Olympic and Paralympic Games are UK nationals. Those from abroad will be paid by their respective home countries.Apparently they always intended to pay tax, the statement is one merely of clarification.
As one of the longest, continuous sponsors of the Olympic Movement, we are proud that we are able to use our sponsorship to enable millions of people to experience the Games and believe we have a valid role to play. As well as sharing expertise, our financial support will help to stage London 2012. We have also built on our experience as an Olympic and Paralympic sponsor to help LOCOG deliver the most sustainable Games possible."
"G4S have been appalling."He claimed that those in charge of Locog's security were "amateurish", and it was a mistake using one company to supply staff.
"It was the wrong strategy, to use only one company."The insider who has worked in security for many years asserts that "at the top level" the management of security at Locog was "thoroughly amateurish and incompetent".
"As an experienced FCA and fraud investigator I recommend that if G4s, the government and Locog want to put taxpayers' minds at rest over the integrity of the contracts awarded for the Games, then a full independent audit be conducted of the tendering process, the contract and G4S operations pertaining to their work for the Games."This recommendation naturally applies to Locog as well.
"Um, so we've been lost on the road for 4hrs. Not a good first impression London."Followed by:
"Athletes are sleepy, hungry and need to pee. Could we get to the Olympic Village please."
Special mention to Tent101 who has changed avatar and come up with the excellent tag line #FuckTheOlympics"I have changed my avatar. I am now a CRIMINAL"
"That is a difficult question to answer.
They all have a right to work in the UK and have been vetted to very high standards."
"I can't say categorically."ROFLOL!
"Almost £34 million of the increase is for the G4S “programme management office” overseeing the security operation. By contrast, the firm’s recruitment spending has increased by only £2.8 million.Whilst G4S may or may not be "absolutely transparent with Locog", as I noted yesterday, Locog and the government are not absolutely transparent with the taxpayer about this and other aspects of the Olympics.
The company told ITV Tonight that the contract was subject to “extensive negotiation to ensure value for money” and that there were caps on any profit made. G4S said it had been “absolutely transparent” with Locog about its finances."
"The cost of providing security for the games has rocketed skywards, eg elements of the main contract with private security provider G4S have increased by up to seven times."With only a fortnight to go until the Olympics and G4S and the costs of providing security for the Olympics have yet again hit the headlines, in a spectacular manner.
"In my judgment, the MoD's voluntary engagement with the community and residents in this matter were immaculate."The residents have today abandoned their challenge to the decision.
"It seems that Heathrow is in meltdown yet again and, despite the media firestorm over April's clusterfuck, ministers and those in charge of passport checks etc have not yet learned their lesson."One week on and things at Heathrow are still no better, as Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, can attest to. He paid Heathrow Terminal 4 a visit today and was less than impressed with the ongoing clusterfuck.
"I was appalled by the length of queues in the immigration hall this morning
It is now two months since the Immigration Minister promised additional resources and better management.To add to the humiliation, BAA claim that the Border Force yet again failed to meet its 45 minute maximum waiting time target for passengers from the European Economic Area (the EU plus Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway).
The worst aspect was that half of the immigration desks were simply not opened even though the Border Force had prior knowledge of all flight arrivals.
This creates additional security pressures with luggage piling up in the baggage hall.
We had people waiting in the corridors at the busiest international airport in the world.”
Fortunately I drink vodka!“If we don’t get reinstatement [reversing price cuts], we are looking at disruption of milk supplies.
That could come in many forms.
Part of our action is likely to disrupt that [the Olympics] and that is unfortunate, but at the end of the day we are in desperation street.”
"Many of you have been dismayed by the media scrutiny on the show.I am more than a little "bemused" at Boyle's apparent surprise/disappointment over the press interest and stories about the opening ceremony:
I am sorry that, despite our best efforts, we appear to be unable to stop these stories appearing in the press."
Share the frustration of volunteer performers and the public at Opening Ceremony being unofficially trailed. Let’s#savethesurprise"
"Angry passengers reported queuing for nearly two and a half hours last week – with some starting far outside the immigration hall – to be met with empty passport control desks and uninterested staff."It is quite clear that Heathrow will not be able to cope during the Olympics, therefore those who can change their travel plans are strongly advised to avoid London airport at all costs during the games!
"Hotel prices have been slashed, and thousands of tickets remain unsold. Olympic package holidays are being flogged at half price and flats near the stadium languish unrented. It looks like the Olympic bubble could well have burst.This comes as no surprise whatsoever, as in February I wrote:
With a surplus of top-end tickets and VIP packages, ticketing and travel companies have slashed prices in a last-minute effort to fill spaces."
"Locog have had to publicly humiliate themselves (not for the first time) by admitting that they had overestimated the number of rooms needed by officials, media, sponsors and assorted freeloaders for the coming games.My advice to any tourist brave enough to endure the chaos of London during the Olympics is to negotiate hard with the hotels (who are desperate for business), don't let the greedy bastards get away with overcharging you for a shoddy room and lousy service!
By how much did they overestimate the demand?
By a staggering 20%!
Locog have had to hand back 120,000 of the total 600,000 nights booked for the Olympics.
Needless to say this 20% reduction in bookings has given the greedy hotel industry a well deserved kick in the goolies.
Tour operators are now panicking and have warned that the newly available rooms will not boost visitor numbers.
For why?
- the vacancies have come too late
- tourists have been put off by the naked greed of the hotel operators
- tourists have been put off by the transport/travel chaos expected in London during the games
It is estimated that up to one million beds will go unsold over the Olympic period, costing the tourism industry around £3.5BN.
Now who was it who said that the Olympics would be a boon to tourism?
Oh yes, Locog!"
