Olympic Notes
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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).
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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).
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