The Egyptian Olympic Committee has been "accused of handing out counterfeit" Nike branded clothing for training and village wear, according to Ed Hawkins of the LONDON TIMES. If true, the story "will rank as one of the more amusing 'scandals' of '12." Egyptian synchronized swimmer Yomna Khallaf "confirmed on Twitter that the athletes were given the clothing." Nike said they were "highly concerned" at the story. Although there is little doubt they had to be pleased with the free publicity "given they are not an official Olympic sponsor," and there have been rumors that spectators wearing the brand "may not be admitted to venues" (LONDON TIMES, 7/25). In Sydney, Georgina Robinson reported that EOC spokesperson Alla El din Gabr told Fairfax Media that he had "neither heard the allegations nor seen Khallaf's tweets and would investigate." But Khallaf claimed team officials in Egypt told her to "take it or leave it" when she raised concerns about the clothing. Khallaf said, "[They did] nothing at all. The attitude is like take this or have nothing at all." A Nike spokesperson said that the company "provided the Egyptian team with training, travel and village wear but not competition gear" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 7/26).
