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are vetted in detail by independent
advisers. We look at the record of the
company and in the case of Dow we
asked their view on Bhopal. We knew
about it and we thought Dow was not
responsible,”
Aside from Dow, Rio Tinto and BP are
putting huge money into the games
and have been charged with behaving
unethically in their businesses. “Rio
Tinto is involved in environmental
and human rights controversies all
over the world, but the pollution is so
bad near the mines in Utah where Rio
Tinto has extracted the metals for the
Olympic medals that local physicians
have linked it to premature deaths,”
claimed Richard Solly of the London
Mining Network.
Yet another company whose long-
running support for the games is
under scrutiny is McDonald’s. For
a sporting competition that focuses
on health and well-being, for a fast
food provider to be a major sponsor
has some observers scratching their
heads.
Wales’ top doctor, Dr Tony Jewell,
responded toanewsurvey onBritain’s
rising obesity levels by hitting out at
McDonald’s and Coca-Cola’s heavy
involvement with the London Games.
He claims that the fast food giants
should have no place in a festival that
encourages sporting excellence and
health.
“Top athletes do not succeed by
consuming burgers, chips and cola, or binge drinking. Like
smoking, they do nothing to improve sporting prowess, and
consumed regularly, contribute to obesity and related health
problems,” he said.
“There is much to do to tackle obesity, and stating clearly that
fast food has no place in sport, sends a clear message.”
Even Rogge is reported to have expressed concern in the
past over McDonald’s involvement in the games. According
to the head of the IOC, he took them on and they responded.
“We’ve said to them: ‘Listen, there is an issue in terms of the
growing trend on obesity. What are you going to do about
that?’”
What McDonald’s did was point out the new McCafe menu,
while Coke showed him their zero-calorie drinks. That was
enough to convince him to allow their continued sponsorship
of the games.
The Bhopal memorial for those killed and disabled by the 1984 toxic gas release.
While Dow Chemical Company is a major investor in the games, it faces criticisms
that it has still not properly compensated those people affected.
McDonald’s tried to establish a monopoly on chips in the Olympic Village, only
allowing chips to be sold with fish.
Photo By Luca Fredian
But McDonald’s has stirred further controversy in recent
weeks by trying to establish a monopoly on chip sales in the
Olympic village. McDonald’s caused outrage when it pressed
the other catering companies to only serve chips with fish,
ensuring that they are the only company selling chips.
The move prompted a twitter campaign which was as
humorous as it was outraged. Observers saw the move
as just another example of how the games had been high-
jacked by big business. McDonald’s climbed down quickly
from the ‘Dictatorchip’, a spokesman from LOCOG claiming,
“It’s sorted. We have spoken to McDonald’s about it.”
With the games estimated to cost around 3.3 billion pounds,
it is hard to see the IOC turning away anyone willing to pay.
However, the community concerns about some of those
companies are clear. The IOC should take note.
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