Private security firm G4S is set to lose up to £50m ($78m) by not fulfilling their contract for the Lodon 2012 games.

Chief executive Nick Buckles (pictured) apologised after an extra 3,500 armed forces personnel had to be drafted in to bolster security for the Games.

Home Secretary Theresa May was forced to ask the Ministry of Defence to provide more troops after the contractor admitted it did not have enough staff.

The company has a £284m ($442m) contract with the Government to provide 13,700 security guards for the Olympic Games, but only 4,000 guards are trained and ready.

In a statement G4S said: “G4S accepts its responsibility for the additional cost of the increased military deployment resulting from the shortfall in workforce delivery. The company is also incurring other significant costs as it endeavours to meet the contract challenges.  

“Whilst it is not possible to gauge the precise financial impact, it is estimated that the Company will incur a loss on the contract in the range of £35m – £50m, all of which will fall in the current financial year.”

Nick Buckles, CEO said: “We are deeply disappointed that we have not been able to fully deliver against our contract with LOCOG and that it has been necessary to call upon the additional military personnel.  In partnership with the military and LOCOG, we are working flat out around the clock to resolve the situation.  

“We are determined that together we will deliver a successful and secure Games.  I would like to thank the members of the current security workforce who are already on the ground securing many of the Olympic sites across the country.”

John Connolly, who joined G4S as Chairman on 8 June 2012, added: “Since I joined the Company I have seen the huge focus which has been placed on delivering this contract.  It is a significant disappointment to everyone at the Company that we have fallen short of our obligations.

“I know however that everyone involved throughout G4S is doing everything they can to improve the situation and we are putting every resource behind this effort.”

Mr Buckles has been called to give evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee on Tuesday as part of the panel’s inquiry into Olympic Security.

Leading independent mobile applications store Mobango, with over 1.5 million Applications, Games and content, has partnered with Indian Premier League (IPL) internet, mobile and radio rights holder Indiatimes to launch an IPL T20 application.

The official application, called DLF IPL T20 Cricket Live, will help users to track scores, match schedules, points’ tables and much more about their favourite IPL teams whilst on the move.

Mobango COO Badri Sanjeevi said: “Mobango offers a wide variety of apps for cricket fans. Mobango team is always working hard in bringing the latest and most exciting applications to its users.”

Indiagames Ltd has developed and distributing the Official Games (DLF IPL Game and 10 different games based on each of Franchise team) for each team participating in the IPL carrying the team’s branding and factoids from the team.

Additionally, Affle, a mobile marketing firm, has also come up with a unique application called Dressing Room, which offers latest T20 cricket gossip, post match party coverage and dressing room secrets.

The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) have signed co-operation agreement designed to create greater understanding between the two, as well as developing collaboration in the field of physical education sports and the Olympic Movement.

Tsunekazu Takeda, the President of the JOC, stated: “It is our great pleasure to have our friends from the United States with us, and by signing an agreement today, the firm partnership between the two Olympic Committees was confirmed.

“I would also like to thank the USOC for their kind and prompt offer of support for the devastated people and damage caused by the tragic events.”

The bilateral agreement will enable the JOC and USOC to organise athlete and coaching exchanges, transfer knowledge in the education of coaches, sports science and sports medicine, develop a programme for sharing best practices in event management and marketing and swap ideas on management development, including staff training.

USOC President Larry Probst added: “This agreement is evidence that the values of friendship and respect transcend culture and competition and that the Olympic Movement is greater than sport alone.

“The USOC has much to learn from our friends at the JOC and we’re eager to offer any information or assistance that may be valuable to the JOC.

“In the aftermath of the tragic events that have unfolded in Japan in recent weeks, I’d be remiss if I didn’t also reiterate the USOC’s condolences to the JOC and the people of Japan and our offer to assist in any way we can.

“I look forward to continuing our cooperation as a partner NOC (National Olympic Committee) for further development of the Olympic Movement in both countries.”

The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), medic  a club and sanctioning body supporting road racing, rallying, and autocross in the United States, has announced today that, effective October 14, Jeff Dahnert has resigned as its president and CEO.

Dahnert joined the staff of SCCA in 2004 and has served as president since 2009.

“I appreciate the great opportunities that SCCA has given me and I will truly miss the wonderful people I have worked with, both at the national office and in the Regions,” Dahnert said. “My goal was always to have the Club in a stronger position upon my departure than when I started, and I believe that is the case.”

“As Jeff moves on to new endeavors, he will be missed and we wish him well,” Lisa Noble, chairman of the SCCA Board of Directors, said.

Dahnert will continue to serve as a consultant to SCCA through the end of the year.

The Board of Directors also announced the appointment of Lisa Noble, who will resign as current board chairman to serve as interim president and CEO. She has been active in the SCCA since 1971 and a member of the board since 2008.

To fill out Noble’s term, John Walsh, director from the Northeast Division of the SCCA, was appointed as new chairman of the Board. Walsh, from New York, has been a member of the Board since 2011.

Additionally, a search committee has been appointed and a national search for a new president and CEO will soon be underway.

Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games bid committee have revealed public support for the Games’ bid is increasing once again.

Following an International Olympic Committee (IOC) survey announced last May that showed 47 per cent supported the bid, support for the bid has increased and the latest figures as of October 2012 show that more than 8.5 million Tokyo residents are now in favour of the bid.

A poll was conducted by Tokyo 2020 with 400 phone calls between October 10 and October 22 that revealed sixty-seven per cent of Tokyo’s residents are supporting the bid’s effort to host the Games in the city, and a variety of opinion polls indicate that more than 80 million people in Japan back the bid.

Tokyo are competing with Istanbul and Madrid to hold the 2020 Summer Games The decision will be made in September 2013. 

The London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) today opened the doors to the UK’s latest official London 2012 Shop.

The Hyde Park shop was officially opened by Sir Steve Redgrave, bronchi five times gold medal winning Olympian.

At 12,000 sq ft, the shop will be London’s largest ever ‘pop up’ shop.

Located on Rotten Row in the south of Hyde Park, the single storey temporary structure shop is expected to attract thousands of visitors a day.

The shop is the only location outside the Olympic Park where fans can buy London 2012 Official Olympic Venue Collection merchandise; Coca-Cola Olympic merchandise including highly coveted Coca-Cola Olympic and Paralympic Games pin badges; one-of-a-kind signed memorabilia and a collection of giftware produced by The Royal Parks.

Later this month, customers will get the chance to have their photo taken with the Olympic Torch in the Coca-Cola Official Pin Trading Centre and create a personalised pin badge. There will also be special athlete visits throughout the course of the Games.

adidas, official sportswear partner of the London 2012 Games, will share their passion for sports by providing three sport specific challenges for visitors to prove their skills with rewards and prizes to be won.

LOCOG chief executive, Paul Deighton said: “With just over two weeks to go until the Games, now is the time to show your support for London 2012 and for Team GB and ParalympicsGB.

“Our latest shop, London’s largest ever pop up shop, offers something for everybody at every price point – from one off excusive collectables to children’s toys.

“As well as giving people the opportunity to show their support, merchandise is also an important revenue source for funding the Games.”

The Royal Parks’ Chief Executive, Linda Lennon CBE said: “In addition to hosting the Olympic Triathlon and Marathon Swim Events in Hyde Park, we are also proud to play host to the largest London 2012 Shop in the capital.”

“The shop is a superb accompaniment to the array of events and activities happening this summer and we look forward to welcoming the world to Hyde Park.”

The store is open until 16 September.

UEFA President Michel Platini revealed yesterday, April 20, that it will decide at the beginning of May which candidate to back in the forthcoming FIFA election campaign.

Platini insisted that European soccer’s governing body had not yet decided whether to support the present incumbent or his challenger, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) chief Mohamed Bin Hammam.

Platini is expected to lobby European federations to support Blatter as the 75-year-old revealed that, if elected for a fourth term, it would be his last. The Frenchman is thought to be keen on the FIFA Presidency himself and would undoubtedly have longer to wait in his pursuit, were Bin Hammam to takeover the helm.

Platini did not say whether he had read either manifesto of the candidates after Blatter released his statement yesterday, but said UEFA would make public its decision a month before the June 1 vote in Zurich.

Platini, speaking after the official hand-over of the Champions League trophy to London ahead of next month’s final at Wembley, stated: “I will make a statement at the beginning of May about the position of UEFA.”