After four days of what they termed "nonsense" from IBM's
computerized results system, more international news agencies
were calling for their money back yesterday, according to the
DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Despite assurances from IBM and ACOG
officials, the system continued to produce "wrong or delayed
information." Michel Henault, Sports Editor for Agence France-
Presse, declared himself "disgusted." AP Sports Editor Terry
Taylor: "As far as we're concerned, no services were provided."
News organizations paid $15,000 each for the service. The AP may
station its own employees at venues with laptops to bypass IBM's
system (Douglas Holt, DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/24).
FOREIGN INDIGNANT-ARIES: Yosuke Fujiwara, head of the
consortium of Japanese broadcasters, called the transportation a
"disaster" and said they may seek a refund "at least the amount
of Billy Payne's annual income." Fujiwara: "He's speaking big
and doing nothing" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 7/24). Richard Bunn,
EBU's head of sports rights: "There have been some improvements
over the past 24 hours, but not enough has been done. We have a
contract to cover the games and we are looking at what legal
action we can take to seek compensation" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 7/24).
NBC's Roger O'Neil reported on the "whiz-bang" electronic
communications, scoring and timing technology provided by Bell
South, IBM and Swatch. While lauding the fact the Games are on
the "cutting edge of the information super highway," he did
briefly acknowledge the technical problems reported over the past
few days ("NBC Nightly News," 7/23).
IOC RESPONSE: IOC VP Dick Pound called the threats of
refunds legal "saber-rattling." Pound: "If there is a problem
down the road, everyone wants to make sure they have their
position on record in writing. I don't think this will escalate
unless we have a total failure, and I think we are well short of
that." Pound doubted there would be any refunds (Emerson &
Scott, ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 7/24).
IMAGE ON THE LINE: The CHICAGO TRIBUNE notes the system was
IBM's "showcase" of its $80M personnel/equipment commitment to
the Games and that company officials are "on the defensive."
Marketing experts note IBM could suffer "major damage" (Brandon &
Coates, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/24). The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION's
Kanell & Unger: "Maybe they set the bar too high. ... From the
start, Big Blue has used the Games as a marketing point. If we
can manage the Olympic technology, IBM has bragged to clients, we
can solve any problems you might have, Now, that pitch is at
risk" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 7/24). USA TODAY's Cover Story was
on the limits of technology (USA TODAY, 7/24).
NO JOKING MATTER: Humorist Dave Barry notes that concerns
initially arose about the computer scoring system when it was
reported that Jim Thorpe won the women's 200-meter backstroke
(MIAMI HERALD, 7/24).
