ROMNEY/KRIMSKY FIRE BACK ON D'ALESSANDRO'S POLL NUMBERS

          John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance President David
     D'Alessandro said that three company surveys in recent weeks
     found that 20% of those questioned "have now lost faith in
     not only the Olympics but in the companies that sponsor the
     Olympics and their products," according to Larry Siddons of
     the AP.  D'Alessandro: "That's a problem."  D'Alessandro
     said that another 30-40% of the 500 people surveyed said
     they "have lost some respect for the Olympics," and "only"
     3-4% said they were "more likely to buy an Olympic sponsor's
     product."  D'Alessandro: "What's really troubling is you
     have 20 percent who say, 'I no longer think as highly of
     your company because you sponsor the Olympics, and I'm
     seriously considering not buying your product'" (AP, 5/13).
          QUESTIONS ON HIS DATA: SLOC CEO Mitt Romney, on
     D'Alessandro's poll statements: "Phooey."  Romney added that
     USOC data shows no significant erosion toward sponsors and
     noted GM's marketing and ad investment around the Olympic
     Games announced Wednesday.  Romney: "This is a case of
     dueling polls.  And in my view the duel was decided when
     General Motors voted with their dollars."  Outgoing USOC
     Deputy Secretary General John Krimsky, on D'Alessandro's
     poll data: "He's exaggerated some very narrowly focused data
     that he and only he is privy to.  It's inaccurate, and it's
     done to further his position which has been to chill the
     Olympic sponsorship market" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 5/13).