Olympic Notes: Polo Criticized For Consumerism On Team USA Gear

Polo Criticized For Its "Obviously Logoed Collection"

In Boston, Alyssa Giacobbe notes Polo Ralph Lauren's Team USA outfits for the '08 Beijing Olympics were criticized for "what many bloggers called consumerism at its worst," and the brand for the Vancouver Games has "returned with an even more obviously logoed collection." The Polo pony that "decorates everything from sweaters to fleece jackets is even more prominent, larger, in fact, than the Olympic rings" on Team USA gear. The Olympics have "long moved away from pure spectacle of athletic ability to become an event influenced by, and representative of, politics, branding, and, yes, consumerism" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/4).

OVER-PROTECTIVE? In Phoenix, Mark Faller noted while the USOC insists that non-Olympic sponsors are infringing on "copyrighted Olympics images and terminology," things are "really getting out of hand." U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps "might owe his fame to his Olympics performance, and Subway is clever to tap into that name-association" with its new TV spot, but for the USOC to "raise a stink over this is just plain childish" (AZCENTRAL.com, 2/3).

VANCOUVER'S UGLY DUCKLING: In Vancouver, Kent Spencer reports "opinion is growing" that the Canada pavilion in downtown Vancouver is an "embarrassment" to the country. The pavilion, a "white canvas tent-like structure," already has been "panned by professional architects." The structure was built by Chicago-based Giltspur Exhibits, which won the bid last November. Vancouver resident Alastair Campbell said, "It looks like a temporary tent" (Vancouver PROVINCE, 2/4).