Box Hill News snubbed by Olympic organisers
OLYMPIC organisers will not allow a village magazine to be sold on Box Hill during this month's cycle races – because the publication is not an official London 2012 sponsor.
The Box Hill News, a 40p news magazine run by volunteers, wanted to publish a special Olympics-themed edition to be sold on the weekend of the cycling races, July 28 and 29.
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Keith Brock has criticised Locog for preventing the Box Hill News being sold on the hill during the cycle race RSMD12607 photo by Alexander Robertson
But Games organisers Locog insist only event sponsors can trade along the route.
Former Box Hill News editor June Austin, 47, who resigned partly due to the dispute with Locog, said the Olympics promised to be a great opportunity for local communities, but in reality only large companies will benefit.
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She told the Advertiser: "They said the whole area would be controlled by Locog so if you're not an Olympic sponsor, you can't sell anything there.
"It would have been such an opportunity to raise money for charities in the area and they're missing out; all the money will go to the big companies."
Ms Austin said the magazine's volunteers were very disappointed when they heard about Locog's rules.
She added: "We had put in over 100 hours of work at that point, but we couldn't sell it in the ticketed area or within two metres of the route; and the footpaths are tiny."
The special edition was due to feature an article and photos by Keith Brock, a reserve for the British Olympic cycling team at the 1948 London Games.
Mr Brock, 81, who lives in Box Hill, said: "They were going to do a special Olympics issue and I did a two-page story with pictures, but Locog won't let them sell it on Box Hill.
"I was asked to write the story of the 1948 Olympics cycling and they had it for about a year, then about two months ago they told me Locog wouldn't let them sell the paper on Donkey Green.
"The Box Hill News is just a small local magazine.
"It's tiny and they're all volunteers."
Speaking about his experience in 1948 Mr Brock, who runs a business selling jetskis and other marine equipment in Colliers Wood, said: "I was put on as a reserve in case any of the riders were in an accident.
"I was the fifth rider but they all were OK, so I didn't take part."
Part of Mr Brock's article has been printed in the latest Box Hill News, but the special Olympics edition has been cancelled.
Comments
by rebeca6
Tuesday, July 24 2012, 11:02AM
“LOCOG are so paranoid about ambush marketing that they are spoiling it for everyone else who are just trying to take part in the festivities. I understand the reason to prevent ambush marketing, but if there is no intent to make money off the Olympics then what is the problem? Nike diminished the power of the Olympics logos anyway by creating a powerful advertising campaign which made them the number one brand people associated with the Olympics despite them not being an Olympic sponsor... So LOCOG, you can keep your Olympic rings, we don't need them...
http://tinyurl.com/cv3axre”
by MartinUK
Tuesday, July 24 2012, 12:45AM
“My tax paid for these Olympics, I want to set some conditions.”
by TomLazBisley
Monday, July 23 2012, 6:36PM
“This is nothing but a rich man's party we're all expected to pay for.”
by peasantpig
Saturday, July 21 2012, 11:15AM
“We as a nation are WEAK!
Don't let corporate bullies dictate to us!
WE ARE A DEMOCRACY!
Stand up to them!
The Italians and French have got it right, a law is unenforceable if the majority do not comply.
show LOCOG et all that we are not compliant lemmings oiling thier profiteering scams (there are too many to list and it's continuously growing!)
The olympics were a show of unity and sportsmanship,now it sadly is just a pocket lining exercise.
I hope Boxhill community and all shop keepers,schools,towns,villages etc. DEFY LOW-BOG and continue with their intended display of olympic spirit.
Can someone put a case for our human rights against the olympic committees?
I hope this can be resolved for the spectators sake.
Enjoy the summer everyone!”