Pepsi at the Olympics? Neyt!

Akaran_D · Post by **Akaran_D** » August 9, 2004, 10:05 am

http://www.halifaxherald.com/stories/20 ... 2.raw.html

Olympian struggle
Fans face boot for eating or drinking wrong brands at games
By MARK FRANCHETTI / The Sunday Times

In a far cry from the high-minded ideals of humanity and tolerance embodied by the Olympics, the organizers of the Athens games have warned spectators that they could be barred for taking a surreptitious sip of Pepsi or an illicit bite from a Burger King Whopper.

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.

Sweltering sports fans who seek refuge from the soaring temperatures with a soft drink other than one made by Coca-Cola will be told to leave the banned refreshment at the gates or be shut out. High on the list of blacklisted beverages is Pepsi, but even the wrong bottle of water could land spectators in trouble.

Fans will be allowed into the Olympic complex if they are drinking Avra, a Greek mineral water owned by Coca-Cola, which paid $60 million US for the privilege of being one of the main sponsors. Officials are under orders not to let in rival brands' bottles unless the labels are removed.

Staff will also be on the lookout for T-shirts, hats and bags displaying the unwelcome logos of non-sponsors. Stewards have been trained to detect people who may be wearing merchandise from the sponsors' rivals in the hope of catching the eyes of television audiences. Those arousing suspicion will be required to wear their T-shirts inside out.

Known as the "clean venue policy," the rules were drawn up by the Greeks and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to shield sponsors from so-called "ambush marketing" - an attempt to advertise items during the games without paying sponsorship fees.

The restrictions on food and drink are intended to ensure that only items made by official sponsors such as McDonald's and two Greek dairy firms are consumed at Olympic venues.

An official familiar with the restrictions said: "We have to protect official sponsors who have paid millions to make the Olympics happen. There will be cases of individual spectators being allowed in wearing a T-shirt bearing the logo of a rival sports brand but anyone who tries to practise ambush marketing will be removed."

This will also apply to members of a crowd sitting next to each other wearing clothing with letters that spell out a political or religious message.

The restrictions, which have drawn criticism from Amnesty International, are even harsher for the thousands of stewards and volunteers working at Athens 2004 who have been supplied with uniforms but no shoes.

"We have to provide our own shoes and we were told that we shouldn't wear trainers with a bright logo from a sports brand which is not an official sponsor like Adidas," said one.

The main sponsors of the games have paid more than $1 billion in total for exclusive advertising rights and privileges, including the use of the Olympic logo under their brand names. It is not even possible to buy a ticket to the Olympics using a credit card other than Visa, which paid more than $30 million for its exclusive rights.

Other brands can display small logos if they are sponsoring a national team or an individual athlete, but official sponsors have turned some of the games' most famous names into walking billboards.

The image of Michael Phelps, the American swimmer aiming to win seven gold medals, has even appeared on Visa cards. All American medal winners are required to wear an Adidas outfit on the podium, according to the company's sponsorship contract with the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Kostas Giannis, a Greek sports fan, said: "I don't see why, after all the money that Greek taxpayers will end up paying to host the games, McDonald's should dictate what I can eat in my own city."

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » August 9, 2004, 11:40 am

Pepsi isn't fit for pigs.

In Kazhazkstan we say there is God, then man, then horse, then dog, then woman, then pig, then bug

Akaran_D · Post by **Akaran_D** » August 9, 2004, 11:43 am

While I agree with that, the banishmentof certain brands of items / refreshments is borderline bad buisness. I mean, I can SEE the reasoning behind it, buuut...

Metanis · Post by **Metanis** » August 9, 2004, 11:51 am

As a former resident of the Atlanta area; there is Coke... and all else is merely swill.

(I have a refrigerator full of Diet Pepsi because I can't convince my wife how wrong she is.)

Bubba Grizz · Post by **Bubba Grizz** » August 9, 2004, 12:20 pm

It is going to cost Athens over 10 billion to host the games due to all the security and all the renovations they did. I agree with their right to defend those who are paying them for sponsership rights.

Sionistic · Post by **Sionistic** » August 9, 2004, 12:29 pm

People still drink pepsi?

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » August 9, 2004, 1:52 pm

Commercialism > Olympic Spirit

Post by **Xouqoa** » August 9, 2004, 1:56 pm

I like Pepsi much better, but I'll drink coke if I'm out and that's all they have.

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » August 9, 2004, 3:09 pm

For the first time since before the NHL playoffs started, Zoocow speaks wisdom!!!

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » August 9, 2004, 5:13 pm

there's olympics this year? good job promoting that one, athens.

Sylvos · Post by **Sylvos** » August 9, 2004, 5:31 pm

That's all i've seen this year is constant Olympic comercials to the point where i'm just sick of them already.

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » August 9, 2004, 5:34 pm

I barely saw commercials myself.

And I'm not sure if its a canadian thing, but everyone I know prefers Pepsi over that garbage Coke.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » August 9, 2004, 5:36 pm

I'm pretty sure I saw somewhere that coke outsells pepsi in canada by a higher margin than even in the US.

I don't like pepsi much, except I prefer pepsi slurpees over coke ones.

Adelrune Argenti · Post by **Adelrune Argenti** » August 9, 2004, 5:42 pm

They have slurpees in Canada? I don't remember seeing those when I was there. Canada can't be all bad then.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » August 9, 2004, 5:42 pm

what the hell

Sylvos · Post by **Sylvos** » August 9, 2004, 5:45 pm

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » August 9, 2004, 5:55 pm

OK time to put Addled Runes back in the dungeon where he belongs... californicating kook...

Kguku · Post by **Kguku** » August 9, 2004, 5:57 pm

Adelrune Argenti wrote:They have slurpees in Canada? I don't remember seeing those when I was there. Canada can't be all bad then.

Winnipeg (which wow, just happens to be in Canada!) is the slurpee capital of the WORLD! So of course we have slurpees!

And I'm with kyou, pepsi slurpees are better than coke (not as sweet). But when it comes to the beverage drinking I prefer coke to pepsi.

Kargyle · Post by **Kargyle** » August 9, 2004, 6:14 pm

I would almost rather die of thirst than drink Pepsi. Of course, I prefer Dr. Pepper to Coke, but Coke is a close second.

Metanis · Post by **Metanis** » August 9, 2004, 6:22 pm

Bud > Coke > Pepsi

Demags · Post by **Demags** » August 9, 2004, 6:24 pm

In Canada ALL beverages become slurpee's within moments of exposure to the fridgid outside temperatures, of course they are the slurpee capital.

Demags

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 9, 2004, 6:25 pm

I don't need the whole lecture when I order a "coke". I could care less if I end up getting a Coca-Cola or Pepsi.

Niffoni · Post by **Niffoni** » August 9, 2004, 6:41 pm

It's weird to go out for food, order a Coke and have the server look at you with a pained expression and ask meekly "Is Pepsi okay?"

No, you bungler, I demand that my carbonated sugar-water come out of a RED tap, for that uniquely RED flavor. Yes, it's okay.

The worst part is I know that the reason they ask is because people have gotten pissed in the past.

Dregor Thule · Post by **Dregor Thule** » August 9, 2004, 7:35 pm

Metanis wrote:Bud > Coke > Pepsi

If you mean Budweiser then that could quite possibly be the most insane thing you've ever said on these boards. If it means pot then, meh, ya you're a cool dude.

Zaelath · Post by **Zaelath** » August 9, 2004, 8:51 pm

kyoukan wrote:there's olympics this year? good job promoting that one, athens.

Usually kinda self perpetuating; people know they're every 4 years, the network that has the rights rants on about it for months, and the other news shows constant crap about this drug cheat and that injury, until you want to puke.

All I want to know is when the Roy & HG daily roundup show will be aired..

Sionistic · Post by **Sionistic** » August 9, 2004, 9:21 pm

Ive seen more "athens is behind getting ready for olympics" tv time than "athens is going to host the olympics" tv time

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » August 9, 2004, 9:31 pm

It's nice that money can supplant freedom of choice.

I imagine that Greese will officially change it's flag red during the 15 or so days of the Olympics.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » August 10, 2004, 1:36 am

Barqs > Pepsi > MtDew Code Red > MtDew Livewire > Coke

Who really cares about the Olympics anymore?

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » August 10, 2004, 10:36 am

siji, when i am king you will be first against the wall

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » August 10, 2004, 1:37 pm

Voronwë wrote:siji, when i am king you will be first against the wall

No kidding. Code Red is a foul substance. Livewire is much better!

Siji · Post by **Siji** » August 10, 2004, 11:30 pm

Voronwë wrote:siji, when i am king you will be first against the wall

Are handcuffs, leather and a gimp involved?

Mplor · Post by **Mplor** » August 10, 2004, 11:43 pm

Voronwë wrote:siji, when i am king you will be first against the wall

With his opinion which is of no consequence at all?