IOC Concerned Logo Fiasco Will Deter Sponsors
11/06/2007 |
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The Daily Mail reports that members of the 12-member London 2012 Summer Olympic Games coordination commission admit privately they have been surprised by the public outcry over the new London 2012 logo and are concerned whether it will damage public confidence in the 2012 Games or in its commercial partners.
Inspectors from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will be visiting London’s 2012 bid next Tuesday as part of an update on preparations for the 2012 Games and to see if the fiasco over the 400,000 pound logo “will damage the host city’s balance sheet”, reports the newspaper.
There are concerns that adverse public reaction may put potential sponsors off at a crucial stage in negotiations for “tier one” partnerships worth up to 100 million pounds each.
One IOC member said, “many of those members coming will be veterans of the teething troubles of other host cities, so the fact that there is a furor over the design of a logo is nothing new to them. What they will be looking for reassurance on is that it will not affect corporate confidence in” London 2012.
The IOC has pointed to the turbulence surrounding the launches of the Beijing 2008 Games logo and the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games logo, but sources admit that they have been surprised at the extent of the criticism in Britain, reports the Daily Mail.
According to the newspaper members of the coordination commission may consider an online poll that has gathered more than 30,000 signatures objecting to the design as evidence that support for the Games has been undermined in the longer term.
A veteran Olympic observer reportedly said, “they should be extremely concerned that more than 30,000 people have lodged a protest. Anything that brings the Olympic brand into disrepute – admittedly unintentionally – has to be an issue with the executive whose task it is to look after that brand. When you give the Games to a city you entrust them with that brand and a logo which is the most valuable in the world of sport and the second most recognizable symbol after the crucifix”.
At the meeting the commission will tour the venues and be briefed on progress in 17 areas ranging from technology to transport.
(Source: Gamesbids.com)
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