OLYMPIC GAMES

November 20 - Hackney Community College has been unveiled as the key training location for the London 2012 Games Maker volunteers that will work across the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

London 2012 is currently in the process of recruiting around 70,000 volunteers for the Games with some applicants still being interviewed despite there being just eight months to go until the start of the Olympics on July 27.

However, some provisional offers have started being issued to individuals to become Games Makers and from early next year, successful applicants will then receive orientation, role-specific and venue training.

Most of the Games Makers selected to volunteer during the London 2012 Games will receive their role-specific training at either the Shoreditch Campus or Morley Hall on Mare Street at Hackney Community College with sessions to take place from the middle of February to the middle of May 2012.

"Hackney Community College is delighted that it will be one of the locations hosting the training of the London 2012 volunteers," said Ian Ashman, Principal of Hackney Community College.

"It is recognition of the really high quality facilities we have available, as well as being a practical illustration of London 2012's commitment to put resources into host borough communities.

"We will be using these resources to help support our students and programmes, including our four sports academies.

"We will also be encouraging the 70,000 volunteers to make the most of Hackney's facilities while they are with us; for example, to visit local restaurants, bars and museums, so that others will also benefit from our success."

There is an additional boost for Hackney Community College as art and design, media and fashion students at the facility are being given the opportunity to create artwork for the Games Maker training venues.

Around 60 students are involved in creating individual video installations, textiles and artwork which will be presented to London 2012 next month on December 2.

The winning pieces for the training venues will be selected on the December 12 with all the work is based around the Olympic and Paralympic values of excellence, respect, courage, inspiration, friendship, equality and determination.

"I am really excited and thrilled that we have been given this opportunity to be part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Paulene Carr, head of Art, Media and Fashion at Hackney Community College.

"Both students and staff are inspired and motivated by this opportunity to contribute to what will be a longstanding legacy to the local community.

"We hope 2012 is not just a number or a year, but will be a constant reminder of success not only for Stratford and London, but for the United Kingdom; let people talk of 2012 for many years to come."

As well as providing a training venue, Hackney Community College has already made other commitments for the Games, including training hundreds of students and unemployed people to take up 2012 jobs in industries like security, catering, retail and cleaning.

They have also put forward ambassadors to support sports events, students to perform at the opening and closing ceremonies as well as an involvement in the Cultural Olympiad.

"We believe London 2012 offers a great legacy to the local area and winning the contract to be venue for the volunteer training is one more example of the benefits of the Games to our community," added Ashman.

Hackney Community College has more than 9,000 students each year.

This figure is made up of 16 to 18-year-olds in the new South Hackney Sixth 6th form and adults who study full and part time.

Increasing numbers of 14 to16-year-olds also learn at the college either in partnership with local schools or through other arrangements.

The College is also home to the London City Hospitality Centre and its famous training restaurant Open Kitchen.

By Tom Degun

Source www.insidethegames.biz

November 3 - David Beckham has signed his third deal to become the face of a sponsor involved in London 2012, joining Tier One Paralympics partner Sainsbury's as an ambassador.

The former England captain is support the supermarket chain's Active Kids campaign, which officials claim has now donated over £115 million ($183 million/€134 million) worth of equipment and experiences to nurseries, schools, Scout and Guide groups, and Clubmark accredited sports clubs.

Beckham already has deals with worldwide Olympic sponsor Samsung and Adidas, a Tier One London 2012 partner.

Ahead of London 2012, Beckham will also become Sainsbury's ambassador for its London 2012 Paralympic Games sponsorship getting involved in campaigns such as the 1 Million Kids Challenge designed to encourage school children of all ages and abilities to have a go at a Paralympic sport through the distribution of free equipment to schools.

Launched by Sainsbury's in April 2011, the 1 Million Kids Challenge has already received pledges from just under 6,000 schools representing 1.9 million children, almost doubling the target initially set.

"I know the difference leading a healthier and more active life can make to kids and I have been really impressed with the long-term commitment that Sainsbury's has made," said Beckham, who will work alongside teenage swimmer Ellie Simmonds, the double Paralympic gold medallist who is already a Sainsbury's ambassador.

"I am looking forward to working with Sainsbury's to help UK kids have fun, become even more active and introduce them to Paralympic Sports through the 1 Million Kids Challenge."

The announcement comes four months after celebrity chef Jamie Oliver said he would step down as the face of the supermarket after Christmas following an 11-year partnership.

Like Oliver, Beckham will appear in adverts for the company.

The first is due to show in cinemas from November 25.

"We're thrilled to have David on board as an ambassador of our Active Kids campaign," said Justin King, the cheif executive of Sainsbury's.

"As a world class athlete and father of four, David is the ideal ambassador to support our commitment to encourage children to get active and live healthier lifestyles for less money.

"And with a year to go until the Paralympic Games, David's involvement in the 1 Million Kids Challenge will raise the profile even further of disability sport, to help us make this the best Paralympic Games yet."

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By Duncan Mackay

October 19 - The former Rio 2016 marketing team, led by Maggie Sanchez (pictured right with chief executive Leonardo Gryner) who until just days ago was the Organising Committee's chief commercial and marketing director, have shed light on the mysterious circumstances that saw them dismissed from their positions.

Sanchez, along with two of her senior deputies David Alstadter and Rogerio Ludorf, left in what the Rio 2016 leadership described as an "incompatibility of philosophies".

However, in a joint statement to their partners, seen by insidethegames, the trio have aired their side of the story.

"As you have all no doubt heard or been notified by now, we are no longer a part of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games," the statement read.

"This is sad for us, as we will not be finishing this great journey with you.

"We are very proud of the outstanding and record breaking work we and our commercial and marketing team have accomplished in building what has been widely recognised by you - the partner community, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and Rio 2016 leadership, as an outstanding commercial and marketing programme with our innovative 'Aim High' platform."

The statement continues: "We have accomplished many records and successes together, here are but a few: the biggest deal in Olympic history with our Financial Services and Insurance partner, delivering our first partner connection workshop in June 2011 earlier than any other Olympic and Paralympic Organising Committee, and the great feedback for our commercial and marketing programme from the IOC during our IOC Coordination Commission review in June 2011.

"Why the Rio 2016 leadership separated with the three senior and top performing leaders of the commercial and marketing team at the height of its success and during a critical sponsorship phase is an answer that only your heart and experience can help you individually understand.

"They have been quoted as saying: we had 'incompatible philosophies'.

"Here are the principles of our Philosophy...

"• First and foremost, integrity in all we do

"• Holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards, being self-aware, measuring our results to enable us to fine tune and always seeking to develop

"• Adherence to the Olympic values, friendship, respect and excellence and the spirit of Baron de Coubertin's vision for the modern Olympic Games

"• Honest, open and fair business practices and communications, seeking to create win – win situations with maximum return on investment for all stakeholders

"• Utilising Olympic, Paralympic and fortune 500 business best practices to set a new benchmark for delivering the Games

"• Hiring and embracing a team of competent diverse people, and creating a culture of empowerment to ensure scalability, distributed decision making and success

"• Promoting and harnessing the power of diversity - professional backgrounds, nationalities, genders, ages, etc. - to ensure the maximum possibility for new ideas and success

"• Thinking outside the box or paradigm, fostering innovation, taking on challenges and setting big bold goals

"• Recognising and rewarding outstanding individual and team performances

"• Never bowing to adversity and never exalting in triumph

"• Staying humble with our successes, as they are never ours alone, but those of all that we work with and support us

"• Contributing to society in a meaningful way

"We have spent our personal lives and professional careers living, developing and adapting with this philosophy as our guiding principle.

"Indeed, if we have a difference in philosophies with the Rio 2016 leadership, then we are proud to stand by ours."

The statement ends with a personal farewell from Sanchez who says: "One of my favourite quotes from Gandhi is 'Be the change you want to see in the world'.

"Change is often the seed of hope.

"We hope you agree we have demonstrated our willingness to be the change we want to see."

-Tom Degun

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

October 13 - London 2012 have urged people to consider applying for one of the tens of thousands of job opportunities to work on the Games that are set to become available between now and the Olympic Opening Ceremony on July 27.

By the start of the Games, London 2012 will have a workforce of around 6,000 paid staff, up to 70,000 volunteers and around 100,000 paid contractors.

Thousands of contractor opportunities and around 4,000 roles with London 2012 will become available over the next six months with a large percentage of the roles set to be short-term opportunities starting from April 2012 and lasting the duration of the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games or both.

The London 2012 Ceremonies company will also have around 350 jobs available and will be looking for people to join various teams, from costume to stage management.

"Without the tens of thousands of people working on the London 2012 Games, they simply wouldn't happen," said London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton.

"If someone wants to be able to say that they played a part in making London 2012 a success, then this is their opportunity.

"There is a role out there for everyone and I would urge everyone to keep an eye on our website and start applying for these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities."

Students across Britain will be a key target for the short-term jobs and the Bridging the Gap scheme will provide them with a springboard for future careers, particularly in the security sector.

On completion of the required security qualification, they will be guaranteed an interview for a role at the Games with G4S, the official London 2012 security provider.

The Summer Jobs of a Lifetime website, run by London 2012 official recruitment services provider Adecco, will also be an important recruitment channel for London 2012's contractors and allows students to register their interest in working on the Games.

In addition, a wide variety of new jobs are also being created by London 2012 sponsors, suppliers and other businesses who are seeking additional staff as a result of the Games.

"This is chance for thousands of people to play their part in a little bit of history," said minister for sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson.

"It will be an excellent addition to anyone's CV and a unique opportunity to do something fulfilling, exciting and fun."

To help ensure the widest possible range of people can be involved with London 2012, there will jobs available at all levels which will cater for a wide range of skills and talent.

London 2012 is also committed to ensuring that 15 to 20 per cent of its workforce comes from the six host boroughs and is working closely with job brokerages and Job Centre Plus to ensure as many people as possible in those communities are aware of opportunities with London 2012.

"The London 2012 Games is creating thousands of jobs and the host boroughs are working hard to make sure that local people looking for employment opportunities can access these," added Councillor Chris Roberts, leader of Greenwich Council and lead on employment and skills for the six Host Boroughs.

"For many of the roles you don't need qualifications or previous experience, so it's an opportunity for anyone to be involved.

"The Host Boroughs' jobs brokerage schemes have a unique record of success in placing local people into new jobs.

"They will be working with London 2012 to ensure that their residents benefit from this opportunity and that many of the thousands of roles available are filled by local residents."

Opportunities with contractors will be advertised in job brokerages and Job Centre Plus branches across London and the rest of the UK, while contractor opportunities will also be on the Jobs for the Games website, run by Adecco.

Many London 2012 contractors will also be hiring through their own recruitment channels.

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By Tom Degun