Some sporting-goods chains are keeping apparel orders with
Olympic markings "to a bare minimum" in order to avoid getting
stuck with leftover merchandise when the Atlanta Games end,
according to USA TODAY. Bruce Horovitz notes some retailers are
instead stocking up on "year-round patriotic apparel," including
shirts with the "USA" logo and red, white and blue shorts and
sweat suits. Oshman's Buyer Tammy Allen: "I'm staying away from
anything that says '1996' or 'Atlanta Games.'" Herman's General
Merchandise Manager John Hoeffler estimated 35% of the Olympic
apparel sold at Herman's has Olympic logos (USA TODAY, 3/25).
NOTES: CNN's Mark McKay reported on the construction
"mishaps" which have befallen ACOG over the last year.
Recognizing that the "clock is ticking" toward the start of the
Games, McKay notes ACOG officials are denying the Atlanta Games
are getting a reputation for building unsafe facilities. ACOG
CEO A.D. Frazier: "Our guests who come here, our spectators, our
international athletes and our international visitors will have
no concern and should have no concern about the safety of any
structure we have put together for the Olympic Games" ("Sports
Tonight," 3/23).
