Olympic Notes
British Olympic Association Chair Colin Moynihan said that the "internationalization of the Olympic Games will become increasingly a challenge for the IOC." Moynihan: "I think what we saw in the 20th century, with one or two exceptions like so, was what I called a Europe-centric, either an American or European, Games. What [IOC President Jacques] Rogge has decided to do is to internationalize the Games, and that is why it's so important the Games is coming to Beijing. ... I am sure BOCOG will put on a great Games. But it would be impossible for everything to be perfect" (XINHUANET.com, 8/7).
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HANDLE WITH CARE: NBC's “Today” show this morning gave viewers a tour around their set in Beijing, with NBC's Matt Lauer noting it was the same set used for the ’04 Athens Games. NBC's Meredith Vieira: “Getting it here was not easy. It was shipped over the water (in) four big containers, took five weeks to get here, 15 crew members to put it together and they put it together in a week-and-a-half” ("Today," NBC, 8/7)....NBC Olympics announced this morning it has surpassed $1B in ad revenue for the Beijing Games (NBC)....THE DAILY is running an online poll asking readers what Nielsen rating they think NBC will average in primetime for Olympic coverage. To vote, please visit SportsBusinessDaily.com.
A GROWING PROBLEM? Olympic officials acknowledged that the "use of erectile dysfunction drugs are becoming the rage among some athletes looking for an edge." In Toronto, Rob Longley notes it is becoming a "sexy story" as the Games officially begin tomorrow. But Viagra is the "least of the doping issues facing the IOC because, as of now, its use is legal, though [WADA] is aggressively monitoring its potential benefits" (TORONTO SUN, 8/7).
NOTES: In L.A. Kevin Baxter reports as "part of a series of moves aimed at erasing the stain of scandal from Olympic boxing, oversized video monitors will be placed around the ring so that fans and the media can monitor the judging as the bouts progress," while "smaller monitors will be placed in each corner so trainers can keep score as well" (L.A. TIMES, 8/7)....TiVo is teaming with Visa "on a Summer Games guide that lets subscribers choose from a list of sports they want recorded." However, because NBC "puts programming in blocks, you'll get coverage of your chosen sports along with what likely will be hours of other events" (USA TODAY, 8/7).
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