REUTERS' Mike Collett-White wrote as Sunday’s Closing Ceremony “looms into view,” artistic director Kim Gavin said that fans should “expect everything" from British composer EDWARD ELGAR to Grammy winner ADELE. The final act of the Games “may not be as spectacular” as the July 27 Opening Ceremony, but it will “feature some of the biggest names in British music and is likely to draw a global audience running in the hundreds of millions.” Organizers yesterday “were silent ... about who would perform and what the ceremony would entail, although, once again, there has been no shortage of leaks, hints and speculation.” Already “confirmed to appear is GEORGE MICHAEL, who spilled the beans via Twitter.” British singer ED SHEERAN recently said that he was “down to sing with PINK FLOYD ... prompting a swift denial from the band.” MUSE, who “composed and performed the official song for the Games ‘Survival,’ will perform the track at the ceremony, while THE WHO, MADNESS, TAKE THAT and the SPICE GIRLS are all rumoured to be taking part” (REUTERS, 8/8).
AFTER THE GAMES: Gold Medal-winning U.S. swimmer RYAN LOCHTE's agent ERIKA WRIGHT said that the swimmer “has received offers to create a fashion line, has been asked by WILL FERRELL to make a Funny or Die video and has multiple TV offers on the table.” Wright said, “Two different reality show concepts have been offered and one additional is being discussed.” Lochte also told reporters in London that he "would be open to appearing on" ABC's "Dancing With the Stars” (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 8/17 issue). Several Olympians have participated on "DWTS," including SHAWN JOHNSON, KRISTI YAMAGUCHI, APOLO ANTON OHNO and NATALIE COUGHLIN, and Gold Medal-winning U.S. swimmer MICHAEL PHELPS said of "DWTS," “I know everyone who’s done it -- I’ve talk to Apolo and Natalie about it, and they said they’ve enjoyed it and had a blast. I won’t say I’m ruling anything out, who knows?” (N.Y. POST, 8/9).
ON SOLID GROUND? USA TODAY's Nicole Auerbach reported shortly after U.S. beach volleyball players KERRI WALSH JENNINGS and MISTY MAY-TREANOR won the Gold Medal yesterday, "the ground buckled" at Horse Guards Palace. A temporary floor, "put in place as part of the area where reporters interview athletes after competition, collapsed about 1 1/2 feet." Dozens of reporters "fell with it, causing a bit of a commotion" (USA TODAY, 8/9).
CHART TOPPER: "American Idol" winner PHILLIP PHILLIPS’ debut single “Home” is the “top-selling download this week in the U.S., leading the tally with 228,000 purchases.” The song has become the “unofficial theme song for women’s gymnastics,” and it has been heard “numerous times over the last 12 days” in various NBC promos (LATIMES.com, 8/8). BILLBOARD's Keith Caulfield noted the song tops this Digital Songs chart this week "all thanks to the Olympics." The song ranked No. 47 week and has seen sales jump 472%. The song also is at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after spending last week at No. 84 (BILLBOARD.com, 8/8).
A DIFFERENT PLATFORM: U.S. diver BRITTANY VIOLA, the daughter of former MLBer FRANK VIOLA, finished 14th in the 10-meter platform preliminaries and is “among 18 divers who advanced to” the semifinals. Frank Viola said, “It’s a lot easier going out for Game 7 knowing you have the ball in your hand and you’re in control. In the stands, you’re a parent and have no control” (AP, 8/9).
MONEY PERFORMANCES: BLOOMBERG NEWS' Victoria Black examined the payout of several countries for medal winners and notes the USOC pays Gold Medal winners $25,000, $15,000 to those who earn Silver and $10,000 for Bronze. Singapore is the “world leader in Olympic payouts” as it gives "far more, promising its champions a whopping $800,000.” Italy is “nearly as generous, giving gold winners up to $182,000.” In China, rewards “do not stop at cash” as local governments “give everything from apartments to luxury cars.” Great Britain is awarding “no prize money to its medalists, but it will put their faces on Royal Mail stamps” (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 8/8).
