Nike Senior Manager of Communications Kathryn Reith
told THE DAILY yesterday that despite a report in Ad Age
(See THE DAILY, 3/23), Nike "is not looking to be an
official sponsor of the Sydney 2000 Games" (THE DAILY).
NOTES: Sandy Hollway, CEO of the Sydney Games, "moved
to appease disgruntled sponsors" and acknowledged that being
"'bombarded' by daily controversy was causing difficulties."
Hollway said the IOC's reputation had "taken a beating" and
had to be restored (THE AUSTRALIAN, 3/25). Sydney organizers
have taken out paid ads in Australian newspapers to promote
the IOC reforms. The ads, reportedly costing US$25,000,
"display an open letter listing" the moves approved last
week (GLOBE & MAIL, 3/25).....In Toronto, Stephen Brunt
questions the appointment of former Raptors President John
Bitove Jr. to lead Toronto's bid for the 2008 Games: "What
began as a long-shot bid seems on life support. ... All of
which raises the question: Why in the world would they hire
someone as CEO who has significant baggage, who has enemies
as powerful as Steve Stavro, Allan Slaight ... and who
polarizes opinion at a time when more controversy is the
last thing they need?" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 3/25).
