LOCOG Chair Coe Defends Dow's London Games Sponsorship Deal

LOCOG Chair Sebastian Coe “mounted a spirited defence of London 2012’s sponsorship deal with Dow Chemical on Tuesday, denying that the company’s legal battles with the Indian government and families affected by the Bhopal gas leak disaster risked damaging the reputation of next year’s event,” according to Blitz & Kortekaas of the FINANCIAL TIMES. On the day a public campaign was launched to urge LOCOG “to drop Dow’s sponsorship,” Coe said that he “had taken a keen interest in the issue, citing his Indian ancestry.” Dow last year became an IOC TOP sponsor and in August “won a tender to supply” a US$11M fabric wrap around the Olympic stadium. Dow’s involvement “has prompted protests from MPs,” including former London Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell. Coe said that he “was not aware of calls in India for its athletes to boycott next year’s Games.” He added, “I am not here as a spokesman for Dow. ... They came through a competitive process and I will stand absolutely behind our procurement process.” LOCOG CEO Paul Deighton said it was “getting very late” to find a new sponsor. He added that he “did not believe Dow was likely to withdraw its sponsorship” (FINANCIAL TIMES, 11/16). In London, Owen Gibson writes there is “no doubt” the Dow sponsorship represents LOGOC's “biggest reputational challenge to date.” The organizing committee has been “remarkably sure-footed to date in avoiding the PR disasters and organisational calamities that have plagued previous Games” (GUARDIAN, 11/16).

SECURITY SYSTEM: The FINANCIAL TIMES’ Stacey & Kortekaas noted as U.K. officials “look to reassure the public that they will be able to keep the capital secure next summer,” U.K. Defense Secretary Philip Hammond said that “ground-to-air missiles could be used to defend London during the Olympics.” The comments “came amid concern over London’s security arrangements for the games,” and after a report that the U.S. “was preparing to send 1,000 of its agents, including 500 from the FBI, to provide extra protection for its contestants and diplomats.” The U.K. Home Office “did not deny the reports,” although U.K. Olympic Security Coordinator Chris Allison said he “did not recognise” them. Allison added, “I feel great support from the Americans. The games will be delivered by the British police service working with the event organisers” (FINANCIAL TIMES, 11/15).