World Rowing "called for tests for viruses to be carried out in
waters to be used at the Rio Olympics in 2016." It follows the Int'l
Sailing Federation's confirmation that "it will carry out research on
the water quality." World Rowing CEO Matt Smith said, "We will ask that
viral testing is done. If there is a problem, we will react. It's our
moral duty" (REUTERS, 8/4). ... From its "opening piano melody through its soaring vocal buildup," Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games' official tune The Snow and Ice Dance "sounds a whole lot like Let It Go from the Disney musical Frozen." Of course, Let It Go -- performed in English by Idina Menzel -- "is a touch too popular for nobody to notice the similarity." A Chinese magazine "noted the similarities in some detail, noting the instrumentation, eight bar intro, and tempo were near identical." Commenters complained that China "is not exactly lacking in excellent composers." Predictably, "many noted that the arid area could definitely use some of Elsa's ice-creation magic" (STUFF, 8/4). ... The Japanese designer behind the logo for the 2020 Summer Olympics said on Wednesday there is "absolutely no truth" to claims it was plagiarized from a Belgian design, while Tokyo Games officials said that "legally there is no problem." Questions about the 2020 logo "arose last week when Belgian designer Olivier Debie said it was too similar to his design for the Theatre de Liege and that he was consulting lawyers, who sent a letter to Japanese organizers last week demanding a response" (REUTERS, 8/5).
