tagged w/ Olympics
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Last year, India asked the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to discontinue Dow Chemical’s sponsorship of the upcoming London Olympics, citing the American corporation’s links to Union Carbide, the company responsible for the 1984 Bhopal gas leak that killed 2,500 people.
Now Vietnam is calling for Dow to quit the games because of the company’s record in producing the toxic defoliant Agent Orange, writes the Thanh Nien News, an influential newspaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
The United States military used Agent Orange extensively in the Vietnam War. Contained in drums with orange stripes (hence the name), the defoliant was sprayed on farms and forests to deprive the communist North Vietnamese and their allies of food and cover.
The systematic dumping caused death, disease and genetic deformities among millions of Vietnamese, including generations born 40 years after the war ended in 1975. The poison continues to contaminate Vietnam’s ecosystem and food chain, the newspaper reports.
The News says Vietnamese government recently sent a letter to the IOC expressing “profound concerns” about Dow’s involvement in the Olympics, which are due to start in less than two months.
“What is worth condemning is the fact that despite [international opinion], Dow Chemical expressed their indifference and refused compensation for the victims of Agent Orange produced by the company, as well as their responsibility to clean up contaminated areas,” according to the letter.
The paper quotes a Dow spokesman dismissing the letter as “misguided” and wrongly focused,” while the IOC said it carefully studied the history of the company and found it “committed to good corporate citizenship.”
But leftist American political author Noam Chomsky is siding with Vietnam, saying it is “entirely appropriate” for the government to object to Dow’s sponsorship, the paper reports. “The use of Agent Orange was a major war crime. The victims have been largely ignored, another crime,” Chomsky said.
Washington has largely rebuffed efforts to be held responsible for the ill effects of Agent Orange in Vietnam, though the U.S. government has promised to help clean up contaminated airports formerly used by American troops.
Ironically, Dow and Monsanto, another Agent Orange producer, are now conducting business in Vietnam.
But if the chairman of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange could have his way, the two companies would pack up and leave, the paper reported. “My ultimate goal is to push the government to get both Dow and Monsanto out of Vietnam,” he said.
More at the linkLast year, India asked the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to discontinue Dow... more
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Mariana van Zeller investigates Brazil's bold new initiative to transform Rio de Janeiro's dangerous slums (called favelas) before the country hosts the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.Mariana van Zeller investigates Brazil's bold new initiative to transform Rio de... more
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"Saudi Arabia look likely to be the only nation competing at the London 2012 Olympic Games without a single female among their team.
Having discussed the issue in Quebec yesterday, the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) talks resulted in them not imposing any sanctions on the Middle Easterners.
IOC President Jacques Rogge, under pressure from human rights and sports groups to force Saudi Arabia to have female athletes as part of its London delegation, refused to consider the possibility of sanctions against the Gulf state or allow Saudi women to compete under a neutral flag.
'There is absolutely no reason to consider the participation of Saudi women under an IOC flag,' he added.
Human Rights Watch's Middle East director Sarah Leah Whitson said: 'Saudi Arabia is the last hold-out denying women and girls the ability to take part in sports.
'The Saudi government’s position should trigger serious scrutiny by the Olympic family. The dismal and unequal conditions for women and girls who seek to practice sports in Saudi Arabia need to change now.'
The London Games were set to be the first where every nation included a woman in their delegation, but the Saudis seem set to successfully resist such calls.
Earlier this year, Saudi Olympic Committee president Prince Nawaf bin Faisal refused to endorse female participation in the English capital.
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Qatar, Brunei and Saudi Arabia fielded all-male teams, but this year the former two have confirmed they female athletes will represent their countries.""Saudi Arabia look likely to be the only nation competing at the London 2012... more
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Recent press in the UK about the upcoming summer Olympics in London make clear that it will be used as an excuse for a police state presence. The Daily Mail remarked upon the “chilling new face of police” as photos show officers donned in black ski masks and ‘armed to the teeth.’
From the Daily Mail:
Suicide bomb drama gives glimpse of paramilitary-style Olympic security
BRISTLING with guns, his face masked, a police officer moves in on a suspected suicide bomber in London yesterday.
Just 91 days away from the start of the Olympics, the dramatic scene gave a foretaste of the intense levels of security which can be expected this summer.
Thousands were evacuated, Tube stations were closed and streets locked down over a wide area of the West End after a man threatened to blow himself up in a busy office block.
Snipers, bomb disposal squads, nuclear, biological and chemical warfare specialists and dozens of armed police were scrambled to the building on Tottenham Court Road, one of the capital’s busiest shopping streets.
...
The "terrorists" are on the pay-roll too, but who can tell the difference with these goons walking the streets. They certainly aren't protecting our freedoms.Recent press in the UK about the upcoming summer Olympics in London make clear that it... more
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Dow Chemical is engaged in constant misinformation and misdirection on the issue of Bhopal – they are desperate to whitewash their image and refuse any responsibility for the ongoing suffering of the people of Bhopal. Here is an excerpt from a recent interview with Dow’s CEO – we will interrupt that broadcast to fill in the gaps that Andrew Liveris is trying to gloss over.
The interview text is from here: http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2012/s3464938.htm
MARK COLVIN: Now before you go I have to ask you; it’s an Olympic year, the Olympics are only a few months away. The Indians are threatening to boycott because Dow is a major sponsor. What are you saying to them?
ANDREW LIVERIS: Well I mean the issue that they’re all inflamed about is not the Dow issue, it’s an Indian government issue and that’s basically what we’re saying to them.
MARK COLVIN: Why? I mean you bought Union Carbide, which caused the Bhopal disaster.
ANDREW LIVERIS: The Indian government settled with Union Carbide in 1989. Settled and reaffirmed by their Supreme Court three times. So it’s got nothing to do with Dow and that’s in the legal agreements and all the bright lines. They’re trying to drag us in because we have deep pockets and that’s clearly what they want to do.
I would also note by the way the IOC supports us fully. There are lots of other corporate brands that support the Olympics that have had issues over time and boycotts don’t tend to work; they hurt a nation, they don’t hurt the Olympics.
ANDREW LIVERIS: But do you think that the settlement with Union Carbide was fair; there are an awful lot of people still suffering aren’t there?
ANDREW LIVERIS: Well you don’t have to ask me what I think; I think you have to go to the Indian Supreme Court and ask them what they think; they ratified it three times.
MYTHBUSTING #1 – UNION CARBIDE
Union Carbide (UCC) is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow Chemical. As UCC explains, their business activities “comprise components of Dow’s global operations rather than standalone operations” (UCC’s 2010 Securities and Exchange Commission filing).
‘Successor liability’ means that when one company merges into another, it gains BOTH its assets AND its liabilities. So, in gaining UCC’s wealth, Dow also gained UCC’s responsibility for the ongoing tragedy in Bhopal.
MYTHBUSTING #2 – THE SETTLEMENT
The settlement reached in 1989 – $470m –was 15% of the original claim for $3bn. $470m is roughly equal to £600 per survivor, none of whom were consulted. This money is not even enough to pay for the ongoing treatment that many survivors need.
The Indian government has recognised the settlement deal as an “irremediable injustice” and is now challenging its legitimacy in the Supreme Court.
The case for compensation is far from closed.
MARK COLVIN: So you bought it on a purely legalistic basis, knowing that you would have nothing more to pay?
ANDREW LIVERIS: There are companies being bought and sold all over the world all the time. Legacy issues and liabilities are a rule of law; rule of law speaks to bright lines and so that’s the topic here.
MYTHBUSTING #3 – LIABILITIES
The ‘polluter pays’ is a rule of law – it is a legal principle adopted by India and the US: if a company creates pollution, they must pay for it. Any damage the pollution causes is the company’s responsibility. Cases in both Indian and US courts are trying to make the polluter – UCC – pay to clean up and decontaminate the site of the disaster, and deal with the water contamination.
When UCC merged into Dow in 2001, Dow became responsible for UCC’s ‘polluter pays’ liabilities. Dow even recognised this by accepting UCC’s asbestos-related liabilities in the US which date back to before the Bhopal gas disaster. Dow set aside $2.2 billion to resolve these claims in the US, yet they refuse to accept liability in Bhopal.
The message from Dow and LOCOG is that ‘it is now the Indian government’s responsibility to clean up the site’ in Bhopal. But the government did not pollute the site, UCC polluted the site. Moreover, if the Indian government was to clean up the site, the money would come from Indian taxpayers, some of whom live in Bhopal.
Dow is asking the victims of the gas disaster and water contamination to pay up.
The polluter should pay, not the victims.
MARK COLVIN: Do you think the Indian team will boycott?
ANDREW LIVERIS: I don’t know what the Indian team will do. I think it’ll be a tragedy for India but that’s their decision.
MARK COLVIN: Is it damaging your company?
ANDREW LIVERIS: Absolutely not.
MARK COLVIN: How come?
ANDREW LIVERIS: Our company is a company that wins awards on sustainability. We’re named one of America’s most sustainably enriched company in terms of ethics….
(see Dow’s ‘sustainable’ and ‘ethical’ record here: www.athletesagainstdowchemical.wordpress.com)
MARK COLVIN: But in India I mean. There is clearly a depth of feeling about it.
ANDREW LIVERIS: It doesn’t hurt us in India. We have a great reputation in India. Look activist groups exist not just in India, they exist all around the world and people will have their views. It’s a free economy in India and they’ll have their views.
MYTHBUSTING #4 – DOW’S REPUTATION
There is widespread, international outrage at Dow’s involvement in the London Olympics.
Expressing that they are “dismayed” at Dow’s sponsorship of the Olympics, Indian officials refuse to endorse Dow Chemical and will boycott the opening and closing ceremonies in protest:
Meredith Alexander resigned from her position in the ethics committee for the London Olympics in protest.
Hindu groups from all over the UK met to rally their opposition to Dow’s involvement.....
More at the linkDow Chemical is engaged in constant misinformation and misdirection on the issue of... more
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Mind Over Business works! Just ask author Ken Baum! (Video Interview) http://www.mrmedia.com/?p=4376Mind Over Business works! Just ask author Ken Baum! (Video Interview)... more
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Last week, the London Olympics were wrapped in fresh embarassment and controversy as Mayor Boris Johnson’s ‘ethics Tzar’ resigned live on BBC Newsnight over fears that her ethics and sustainability concerns with regards to sponsors simply weren’t being listened to. In an interview with Jeremy Paxman she announced that her position at the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 (CSL) was no longer tenable in light of the LOCOG’s continued relationship with and defence of the Dow Chemical Company.
The moment: Meredith Alexander appears live on the BBC's Newsnight with Jeremy Paxman to announce her resignation from the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012
“By coming on air tonight, I’m taking the decision to resign my position and stand up for my principles… I feel that I was part of a body that has been used to legitimize Dow’s involvement in the games.” Dow took over Union Carbide Corporation in 2001, but neither company have addressed the ongoing issue of water and soil contamination in Bhopal that continues to kill thousands and afflict even more with chronic illnesses.
Coverage of the ongoing Bhopal tragedy, and the controversy over Dow and London 2012, went through the roof and Meredith acquired overnight celebrity status in India. Her resignation live on British television resulted in an outpouring of hope, gratitude and optimism from those still living in Union Carbide and Dow’s toxic shadow.
This week, the Bhopal Medical Appeal caught up with Ms. Alexander for a chat…
BMA: What were the main reasons for your resignation from the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 (CSL) ?
MA: All the evidence I have read has convinced me that Dow Chemicals is responsible for the deaths of more than 20,000 people in the aftermath of the Bhopal gas leak. The assets and liabilities of the company involved at the time – Union Carbide – are in Dow’s hands. Londoners, and other people, who are rightly excited about the London games, should not have this toxic legacy on their conscience.
BMA: At what point did your position became “untenable” and why?
MA: The tipping point for me, was the correspondence between Amnesty International and Lord Coe [Chair of LOCOG]. The latest response from Amnesty, just last week, pointed out how LOCOG have become apologists for Dow, falsely legitimising Dow’s stance that it bears no responsibility to the victims of the disaster and their families. I feel that the Olympic bodies are supporting Dow’s line and have failed to take the victim’s views into consideration.
BMA: Last week, Sebastian Shakespeare published a controversial column in the London Evening Standard with the bold headline “The Olympics should be no place for ethics.” Have you read it, and if so, what did you think?
MA: I have read it. And I actually submitted a letter to the editor yesterday about it. I think most Londoners share my view that ethics and sport can and must go hand in hand. Yet as things stand, the enjoyment of the Games risks being hampered by the toxic legacy of one of the sponsors: Dow Chemicals. When London bid to host the 2012 Games, we made a promise to the world that it would be most sustainable Games ever. [Read Meredith's whole letter to the ES newspaper here.]
BMA: Based on your resignation, can you further tell us why you think that ethics, morality, and sustainability are an important part of the Olympics? Why shouldn’t we just accept that commercial sponsorship is inevitable and ‘get over it.’
MA: I think it’s important to remember that there was absolutely no need for the London 2012 organisers to award anyone the contract for this wrap. It’s a completely optional item that is not essential to the design of the stadium. It will not help a single athlete run faster nor will it help spectators have a better view. Dow’s connection to the Olympics is a slap in the face to the victims of Bhopal, but the fact that this wrap is unnecessary makes this particular deal even more galling for those who have spent decades fighting for justice.
More of the interview at the linkLast week, the London Olympics were wrapped in fresh embarassment and controversy as... more
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2012 audio interview with Olympic ice skater Sasha Cohen conducted by Mr. Media, Bob Andelman. http://www.mrmedia.com/?p=38752012 audio interview with Olympic ice skater Sasha Cohen conducted by Mr. Media, Bob... more
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House votes to extend federal pay freezes
Olympic housing crunch: London landlords evict tenants to gouge tourists
Washington State Senate approves same-sex marriage billHouse votes to extend federal pay freezes
Olympic housing crunch: London landlords... more
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Dow Chemical acquired Union Carbide as a wholly owned subsidiary in 2001. They are therefore responsible for the clean up of the former Union Carbide Factory site in Bhopal, India. The area around the factory is densely populated and continues to be heavily contaminated by chemicals and toxins produced by the factory which Dow, despite their evident responsibility, have thus far refused to clean up.
The situation in Bhopal is a humanitarian and environmental catastrophe that continues to affect tens of thousands of people today. For further information see www.bhopal.org
The organisers of the Olympic Games claim that they are committed to organising a sustainable and environmentally friendly event. It is therefore completely unacceptable for Dow Chemical to be sold rights to print their logo all over the the fabric wrapping of the olympic stadium.
More at the link
Please sign this petition for all who have been victims of these environmental crimes.Dow Chemical acquired Union Carbide as a wholly owned subsidiary in 2001. They are... more
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Heartbreaking. Olympic show jumping champion Eric Lamaze's horse Hickstead died during a World Cup event Sunday, after suffering a heart attack and collapsing to the ground inside a packed arena. Hickstead, 15, won gold and silver medals for Canada during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.Heartbreaking. Olympic show jumping champion Eric Lamaze's horse Hickstead died... more
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Capturing the essence of a 24-hour period in this country is no easy task but it’s one that director Morgan Matthews has set himself for the Britain in a Day project, taking place on November 12th 2011.The ambitious project aims to create a portrait of British life by compiling footage submitted by the citizens of the four countries that make up our nation.The resulting film will have legendary director Ridley Scott on executive producer duties and will be shown in cinemas and on BBC2 in the lead-up to the 2012 Olympic Games.Fancy being a part of it? Go to the Britain in a Day YouTube channel to get all the details and find out how to get involved.
Capturing the essence of a 24-hour period in this country is no easy... more
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Olympic organisers are under growing pressure to reconsider a lucrative sponsorship deal that was awarded to a controversial US chemicals firm which has "failed to address one of the worst corporate-related human rights disasters of the 20th century".
Amnesty International will today demand that Lord Coe publicly reveal how the deal with the Dow Chemical Company (Dow), which gives it "exclusive marketing rights" to the main stadium, complies with London 2012's ethical code.
Dow is the 100 per cent owner of Union Carbide Corporation (UCC), the company responsible for the 1984 gas disaster in Bhopal, India, which is thought to have killed 10,000 in its immediate aftermath and 15,000 since.
The company's name will be emblazoned on the £7m artwork "wrap" around the main stadium, guaranteeing months of exposure. Dow and UCC are defendants in a public-interest litigation case in an Indian state court for clean-up of the factory site. They have refused to comply with an application by an Indian Ministry request of 1bn rupees (£12.3m at today's exchange rate) as an advance for clean-up costs.
Health and human rights groups in Bhopal continue to report high rates of congenital deformities and cancers among families who are forced to use contaminated groundwater sources.
More than 10 independent scientific studies show dangerous levels of chemicals such as carbon tetrachloride in water supplies. Earlier this month, The Independent witnessed children as young as eight filling sacks with contaminated soil from the factory landfill to use for building material in their homes.
MPs want the Government to intervene in the controversial deal, which threatens to overshadow the image of the London Games. Critics say Lord Coe must explain Locog's admission that the deal was struck after Dow provided "a full briefing" about Bhopal. The Bhopal Medical Appeal accuses Olympics organisers of "playing dumb over universal legal principles".
Tessa Jowell, the shadow Olympics minister, said last night: "Given the allegations which have been made about Dow's responsibilities in Bhopal it is clear that there are further pressing questions that they must answer."
Home Affairs Select Committee chair Keith Vaz has tabled an Early Day Motion condemning the decision. "If sustainability is at the heart of Locog's decision making as they claim, they need to look long and hard at their decision to do business with Dow," he said.
More at the linkOlympic organisers are under growing pressure to reconsider a lucrative sponsorship... more
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There are still more than nine months ahead of us till London 2012 gets started but some of the Olympic athletes are getting into the spirit already. England long jump hopeful J J Jegede has been showing off his skills by performing an impressive stunt in London.
He completed a long jump over the top of three Minis parked up side by side alongside Tower Bridge - at a specially-organised promotional event as opposed to on a whim, you'll be pleased to hear.
Here's hoping he can put in a similarly winning performance when the games begin on July 27th 2012.There are still more than nine months ahead of us till London 2012 gets started but... more
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Aug 11th, 2011 Olympics ambassador Chelsea Ives allegedy
hurled bricks at a police car and was turned into the cops today.
It is said that she also led an attack on a mobile phone store
in Sunday's riot in Westminster Magistrates' in court.
The Prosecutor Becky Owen states that Ives led the attack on a Vodafone store
and "She was first to pick up masonry and hurl it at the window."
Becky also said Ives was involved in another mob attack on Phones4U.Aug 11th, 2011 Olympics ambassador Chelsea Ives allegedy
hurled bricks at a police... more
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Designed by the model-maker for Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, the 2,100 medals created for the 2012 Olympics are the heaviest medals that'll ever hang around a summer games athlete's neck yet, at 400grams each.
At 85mm in diamater, the medals are the largest too, and have meant the British team has had to adjust their formal suits' pockets so they can fit the 7mm thick medals. Only the Vancouver Winter Olympics' medals beat the 2012 prizes in size and weight, weighing double the amount of next year's prizes. The previous record for heavy summer games' medals were from the Barcelona 1992 games, which weighed 231g each.
Designed by British artist David Watkins, the front of the medals have the Lisa-Simpson-giving-a-blow-job 2012 icon superimposed over the London Thames river and geometric lines that supposedly represent the city's energy. On the back, the Greek goddess Nike appears out of the 1896 Panathenaic stadium, representing the game's spirit.
While the gold medals look like they could be melted down and turned into a nice piece of jewellery, they're actually only 1.34 per cent gold, with 92.5 per cent of the medal being made from silver, and the rest copper. They're still solid enough to cause some serious damage if a bar-fight were to break out between athletes in one of London's East End pubs—jus' sayin'.
http://gizmodo.com/5825506/londons-olympics-medals-are-the-heaviest-bling-yet/gallery/1Designed by the model-maker for Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, the 2,100 medals... more
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Earlier today the British Olympic Association (BOA) announced that players from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would be eligible for selection to a Great Britain Olympic football team.But the announcement was greeted with surprise by both the Scottish and Welsh FAs.
Scottish FA president George Peat said: "I am absolutely astounded that they have put out this statement. I know nothing about any such agreement and we want nothing to do with this tournament."
Welsh president Phil Pritchard said the FA had no right to speak on behalf of other associations. He denied that any conversation had taken place, saying "we have not discussed this at any time recently."
Jim Boyce, Britain's Fifa vice-president and former president of the Irish FA, said he knew nothing about the agreement.He said: "The three associations have made it clear to me they will not be changing their decision about a British Olympic team."
Football officials in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have long been opposed to their players taking part in a British team as they fear that it could end up with global governing body Fifa not recognising them as independent football nations.
The statement from the BOA quoted FA general secretary Alex Horne as thanking other FAs for their "understanding", he said:
"We're delighted there will be football teams representing Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics."It's important as the host nation, football plays its part in what is sure to be a fantastic spectacle."We will look to confirm coaches of the men's and women's teams in due course to allow them to plan and prepare their squads for the games."
If a team GB was created history would be made during the London 2012 Olympic Games as it would be the first time in 52 years such a team would return to the pitch in men’s Olympic football and the first time ever a British women’s Olympic football team would ever play in the tournament.
Source: British Olympic Association, Sky, BBC
Earlier today the British Olympic Association (BOA) announced that players... more
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