Samsung and Visa, official sponsors of the Olympic Games, announced yesterday, March 31, plans to join forces at London 2012 to make it easier for customers to make contactless payments using their mobile telephones.

The implementation of Near Field Communications (NFC) technology will enable customers to make payments by simply selecting the Visa mobile contactless application, choosing pay and holding the phone in front of a contactless reader at the point of purchase.

Visa is working with banks and retailers worldwide to roll-out acceptance for Visa contactless cards, as well as mobile phones, as part of an industry wide roll-out of contactless technology. 

Peter Ayliffe, the chief executive of Visa Europe, stated: “Visa, like Samsung, shares the vision of leveraging our Olympic and Paralympic Games sponsorship to leave a lasting legacy in the market for banks, retailers, mobile operators and consumers.

“We are not only breaking new ground for Olympic partnerships, we are committed to enabling consumers to connect with mobile and contactless payments technology for 2012 and beyond.

“We look forward to working with financial institutions and mobile operators alongside Samsung to make this initiative a success.”

There are already more than 60,000 locations where contactless payments are accepted during London 2012, and contactless and electronic card payments will be available in the run-up to and during the Games.

A Visa-enabled SIM card will be required for use with the device in order to make purchases at retailers who have the contactless payment system.

Mariano Dima, the executive vice-president of marketing and payment solutions at Visa Europe, added: “Innovation is a key business driver for Visa and mobile payments are one of the main areas we’re focusing on.

“The Olympic and Paralympic Games enables us to accelerate our business goals and this partnership plays a large role in achieving them.”

Samsung has demonstrated its leadership in NFC-enabled phone technology since it launched one of the first commercial NFC phones in France last year and the President and chief executive of Samsung Electronics Europe, Seokpil Kim said: “As a pioneer in mobile technology, Samsung is striving for long term change in the way we use mobile payments.

“In London next year, we regard the greatest show on earth as the perfect opportunity to showcase how this technology can make a positive difference to people’s lives – enabling them to feel closer to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

“This mobile payment device will be available in the UK initially, and we plan to expand the service to other countries in Europe and around the world where contactless payment facilities are available in the near future.”

Gyehyun Kwon, the vice-president and head of of Worldwide Sports Marketing at Samsung Electronics added: “This marks the very first partnership between two Worldwide Olympic Partners of the London 2012 Games. 

“We are delighted to be joining forces with Visa to make the Olympic Games more accessible and convenient for everyone. 

“This fits extremely well with our ambition to enable more people to participate in the Games through our smart technology.”

Tokyo 2020, Japan’s bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, was boosted today following a report by FutureBrand’s Country Brand Index 2012-2013 which Japan ranked third out of 118 countries, up one position from the previous year.

The Country Brand Index is a preeminent global study which measures and ranks global perceptions around the world’s nations based on factors such as their cultures, industries, economic strength, and public policy initiatives. The resulting index is a mix of trend reportage, expert findings, data-rich analysis and future-positive prediction compiled by FutureBrand. Japan earned high notes in business, culture, and tourism.

The report highlights many of Japan’s attractive characteristics and validates a common perception of the country: Japan is one of the world’s most exciting countries, boasting a mix of the hyper-modern and the traditional with values that inspire today’s world. The country claims the top spot in the Advanced Technology, Attractions and Authenticity subsections.

Japan also ranked second in the Skilled Workforce subsection, ranking third overall in the Good for Business section. Finally, Japan ranked third in the Art and Culture subsection, taking the third spot overall under the Heritage and Culture section.

The annual Country Brand Index stated: “Japan has managed to maintain its reputation as a world-class brand, especially for tourism, perceived as the second strongest brand in the dimension overall, the strongest brand in the world for Attractions, third strongest for Food and sixth for Value for Money.”

Tsunekazu Takeda, IOC member and President of the Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee and the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) commented: “We are delighted with the results of FutureBrand’s latest Country Brand Index. This report reflects the world’s positive perception of Japan, based on our innovative culture and rich history. If Tokyo secures the honour of hosting the 2020 Games, I am confident that athletes, Olympic and Paralympic Families, and international visitors will all likewise appreciate all that Tokyo has to offer.”

US politicians have expressed their dismay about the U.S. Olympic Committee’s (USOC) decision to provide the U.S. team with Chinese-manufactured uniforms while its domestic textile industry is struggling; there are reportedly hundreds of thousands of unemployed textile workers in the US.

Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid said: “I am so upset. I think the Olympic committee should be ashamed of themselves. I think they should be embarrassed. I think they should take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again.”

House Democratic Leader, Nancy Pelosi said: “They should be wearing uniforms that are made in America.”

House Speaker John Boehner also expressed his disappointment. “You’d think they’d know better,” he said.

“Unlike most Olympic teams around the world, the US Olympic team is privately funded and we’re grateful for the support of our sponsors,” USOC spokesman, Patrick Sandusky said in a statement. “We’re proud of our partnership with Ralph Lauren, an iconic American company, and excited to watch America’s finest athletes compete at the upcoming Games in London.”

Sandusky tweeted that Ralph Lauren “financially supports our team. An American company that supports American athletes.”

The clothing company has not commented on the criticism.

In recent years, the USOC has also faced criticism sponsorship deals with German car manufacturer BMW, when its deal with General Motors ended, and retaining BP as a sponsor after the infamous oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico.{jcomments on}

 

World soccer’s governing body FIFA revealed yesterday, May 3, that a new set of tests for goal-line technology were underway, with the prospect of a system possibly being introduced in time for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

FIFA has invited manufacturers to take part in a two-stage technical testing process between September 2011 and March 2012, which will be verified by an independent technical institute. As of now, around 10 different goal-line technology systems have been tested though all have failed to convince the International Football Association Board (IFAB), and FIFA so far.

FIFA released a statement reading: “The final results of this evaluation will be presented to the IFAB at a special meeting in July 2012. The tests will be conducted in two phases at a football stadium selected by the respective technology providers, in consultation with FIFA.”

The first phase of tests between September and December 2011 will check the success of the required goalscoring indicator, which will be linked to a bracelet worn by the referee. Shortlisted systems, which are at least 90 per cent successful, will then progress to the second phase, where FIFA will be looking for 100 per cent accuracy in tests involving different types of shots on goal under simulated match conditions.

The IFAB, which is made up of FIFA and the Football Associations (FA) of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, decided in March to look at technological aids for referees again.

The recent tests have seemingly been forced into action after another high profile decision which eventually saw Premier League champions Chelsea defeat Tottenham due to an incorrect award of a goal. FIFA have been consistently criticised for a lack of action to ensure that the correct decision in terms of whether a ball has crossed the goal-line is made, with many feeling that the technology is readily available and used in a growing number of sports.

Sepp Blatter, the current incumbent of the presidency of world soccer’s governing body FIFA, has laid out his manifesto for re-election for a fourth term of office in opposition to Mohamed Bin Hammam, saying that the organisation needs ‘evolution not revolution’.

Asian confederation (AFC) chief Bin Hammam confirmed his candidacy for the role last month and the Qatari will face his Swiss counterpart in the election on 1st June.

Blatter stated: “In these challenging times FIFA needs first of all stability, continuity and reliability“, opposing Bin Hammam’s election pledge based upon major changes to FIFA’s structure.

The 61-year-old Qatari’s manifesto contains proposals for change, including the creation of 17 more executive committee positions on a new 41-strong FIFA board.

Blatter promised to apply ‘zero tolerance and fair play’ throughout the game and added that ‘the biggest enemies of football are corruption, match-fixing and doping’.

Blatter added that under his leadership there had been a 57-fold increase in investment in soccer development projects when comparing the period 2007-2010 with that of 1995-98, prior to his election.

He also made an appeal to the financial interests of the member associations and pointed out that FIFA has grown its cash reserves from zero to US$1.2bn.

Blatter added that there would be another additional financial dividend if the 2014 finals in Brazil prove to be a success and on top of this, he said FIFA would provide $1bn for soccer development over the next four years.

Blatter has pledged to ‘strengthen the universality of football’ and said that the controversial award of the World Cup to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022 was ‘an important step in this direction’.

D.C. United and Inter Milan owner Erick Thohir has denied reports that he will put his share of the Major League Soccer club up for sale to cover the debts of Inter Milan he took over last fall.

Italian outlet Il Sole 24 Ore reported earlier this week that Thohir was prepared to sell his share of D.C. United to cover Inter’s debts of “200 million euros” and avoid touching his own private funds, discount built primarily through years as a media mogul in Indonesia.

Thohir and Washington, cialis D.C., prostate lawyer and sports agent Jason Levien joined the investment group behind D.C. United in July 2012, and Thohir became a controlling shareholder and club president at Inter last October.

“I would like to reaffirm the position of both D.C. United and FC Internazionale Milano as part of my football portfolio,” Thohir said via statement. “These assets are integral parts of my international sports investment strategy and I look forward to growing both brands well into the future. I deny, in no uncertain terms, recent media reports which indicated otherwise.

“My commitment and dedication to both DCU and Inter is unwavering, and I am focused on producing results both on and off the pitch at both clubs.”

D.C. United are in the process of negotiating a $300 million stadium deal with local officials to build in the Buzzard Point area of Southwest D.C., a move championed by Thohir and Levien shortly after they took over. The club hopes to begin play at the site in 2016.

Madrid 2020 has agreed a partnership with Madrid Hotel Industry Association that will ensure that should Madrid host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, visitors to the event will have the availability of more than 80,000 beds at the city’s hotels, and room rates will be capped.

Madrid Mayor Ana Botella said: “We are very excited by the commitment shown by the hotel owners who have signed up to this partnership. This demonstration of support by the businesses and people of Madrid is very encouraging and urges us on as we work towards fulfilling our dream.”

Madrid 2020 President Alejandro Blanco added: “The Games are not just a sporting event but an opportunity to promote Spain by celebrating its history, experiencing the present and looking forward to the future, particularly the positive impact that an Olympic Games will have on Madrid and the Spanish people. Support is growing daily and over 80 per cent of the country is already expressing their support for our bid.

“Winning the Games will be the catalyst for regenerating the country’s economy” added Blanco, who pointed to the fact that the occupancy rate for London’s hotels during the 2012 Games was 94 per cent and that the UK economy’s one per cent growth between July and September had been attributed, in the main, to hosting the Olympics.

Blanco spoke of the Games legacy saying: “I’m not going to claim that Madrid 2020 will be the best Games of all time, but I will say that they will be our Games. They will belong to each and every one of us and we will work diligently to ensure sustainability.”