What is it the adverts say on the TV? Something like for X days we are all connected or some such drek aimed at dredging up feelings of unity and bon homme and all the while the real message is clearly Well he can’t be a man ’cause he doesn’t smoke
The same cigarrettes as me. and you can't see the games with a Pepsi in your hand.

Ok, I'm all for giving generous corporations special concessions and I was even the one who pioneered corporate sponsorships in traditionally public spaces such as museums, but to declare an event with such stated high ideals to be viciously intolerant of non-sponsors? Microsoft never gave us a penny for the information highway exhibit, but we still let people in the door regardless what O/S they choose to use.

Strict regulations published by Athens 2004 last week dictate that spectators may be refused admission to events if they are carrying food or drinks made by companies that did not see fit to sponsor the games.

Word has it they will even oust you from the games if you happen to sport the wrong logo on a T-Shirt. The official word is that isolated occurances may be tolerated and that the whole clean venue policy is intended to prevent 'ambush' marketing by companies seeking to fill regions of the TV viewport with unpaid advertising, and that the rule will also apply to those who try to spell out a message by sitting in sequence in the stands, but they've also informed volunteers and staff to be careful which brand of shoes they might choose to wear, and all American medal winners are required to wear an Adidas outfit on the podium.

Now, you tell me again how this is all about fostering unity and humanity and the very best in what it means to be human, and I'll tell you how, if I want to see real athletics, I'll head out to Hepworth Park and watch some Little League.