Olympic Notes

Writer Calls Beijing Games "Most Nervously Awaited Olympics Of Our Time"

In Chicago, Jay Mariotti writes of the Beijing Games, "Warmth and goodwill is not what I'm feeling today. I am struck by the harrowing reality that a battery holding anti-aircraft missiles is near the [Bird's Nest], prepared to launch if necessary as soon as Friday night ... when President Bush joins world leaders and thousands of athletes at the Opening Ceremony." Mariotti added: "This would reconfirm that these are the Danger Games, the most nervously awaited Olympics of our time or any time. If walking in Beijing feels a little like being the bullseye on a global dart board, it is confirmed by the hundreds of thousands of police and soldiers and the suffocating presence of surveillance equipment everywhere we go" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/6).

Gucci Creates Accessory Line Around Beijing Olympics

TICKET LAWS: In Houston, David Ellison reported Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott's office yesterday accused Austin-based TicketCity Inc. of "unlawfully deceiving ticket buyers." Abbott's office said that in March, "TicketCity told customers they would not be receiving their prepaid tickets [to the Beijing Games] and that it wouldn't honor the refunds it promises." The lawsuit, filed by Abbott, "seeks to halt TicketCity from selling tickets that it cannot deliver," and also "seeks a $20,000 penalty for each violation" (CHRON.com, 8/5).

NOTES: In L.A., Mark Heisler notes Bush and members of the Chinese Politburo are scheduled to attend the U.S.-China men's basketball game on Sunday (L.A. TIMES, 8/6)....Children's author Todd Parr has teamed with the Hilton family for "Be Hospitable: A World United Edition." A portion of the proceeds from the book go to benefit the Paralympic Team. The cost of the book is $7.95 and can be purchased at www.hiltonfamily.com. Meanwhile, Gucci has created a line of accessories called 8-8-2008 to commemorate the Beijing Games. Most products are available only in Asia, except for the I-Gucci watch, which can be purchased in the U.S. for $1,415 (BOSTON HERALD, 8/6).