Olympic Names In The News

Prince Harry, Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton “dropped in on the British Olympic team's official residence to wish them good luck and to admire the bronze medal won by swimmer Rebecca Adlington.” Both William and Harry were wearing white Olympics shirts and "toured the quarters for the women's handball players” (AP, 7/31).

DRAWING INSPIRATION: In DC, Barry Svrluga noted being in London during the Olympics has “further focused” Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin on the '14 Sochi Games. Though the NHL “hasn’t committed to allowing its players to return to the Olympics -- which requires a break in its schedule -- Ovechkin reiterated that he doesn’t care. He’s going anyway.” Ovechkin said, “All the world’s talking about it. ... Nothing can stop my mind, and different minds -- Russian players. It’s no doubt. You can see how it was a couple of years ago in Vancouver. The Canadians, how they played in front of home crowds. It’s unbelievable. It’s the best” (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/31).

TEE TIME: In L.A., Bill Dwyre notes Golf HOFer Greg Norman is in London serving as a spokesperson for IOC TOP sponsor Omega to promote golf's return to the Olympics beginning with the ’16 Rio Games. Norman said, “You know what I love about the Olympics? If you win a bronze medal, you are a hero. If you finish third in a golf tournament, you are a choker. That’s what we should all take away from the Olympics” (L.A. TIMES, 8/1).

ROCK THE VOTE: MARKETING magazine’s John Reynolds reports LOCOG Brand, Marketing & Culture Dir Greg Nugent has “volunteered to join the campaign for the re-election” of President Obama. Nugent will be “moving to the US in the next few months and is likely to join Obama's campaign team in September, campaigning up until the end of the year.” It is “unclear what Nugent will do afterwards” (MARKETINGMAGAZINE.uk.co, 8/1).