The AP's Rob Harris reported MLS Galaxy MF David Beckham “will have a role in the opening ceremony at the Olympics." Beckham said, “It is some kind of role in the opening ceremony, which I am honored to be involved in because obviously I was involved in the start process with this seven years ago. And for [LOCOG Chair Sebastian Coe] to have kept me involved, I'm very proud of that” (AP, 7/24).
ZONE DEFENSE: HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Stuart Kemp notes, "Hollywood studios and global filmmakers alike have been warned about attempting any kind of location shoot in the British capital during the upcoming London 2012 Olympics.” It is "not an outright ban by authorities but a warning based on common sense.” British Film Commission CEO Adrian Wootton said, “We've been telling the studio heads of physical production for months now that central London will be out during the 15 days the Olympics is on” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 7/25).
REVERSE COURSE: In London, Fay Schlesinger writes under the subheader, “The IOC Has Urged Spectators Not To Post Videos, But It Said It Would Pursue Spectators Only In Exceptional Cases.” The IOC has “rescinded a ban preventing fans from uploading pictures and videos” from Great Britain’s first soccer match. LOCOG yesterday in a statement said, “Spectators can take pictures of whatever they like at our venues and use them on social media. The only restriction is for very large photographic equipment and tripods that obstruct people’s view” (LONDON TIMES, 7/25).
DO NOT BE A DOPE: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Shirley Wang notes Olympic officials are “mounting their biggest-ever antidoping program,” aiming to test “about half the participating athletes with the help of a corporate-funded lab, new testing tricks and shoe-leather investigative tactics.” About “1,000 people are involved in the effort, including 590 chaperones who will meet medalists just after the event and shepherd them into testing centers” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/25).
