Abandoned Stuff by Saskboy

Tibet is going to be the downfall of the 2008 Olympics. It’s a shame, the athletes (who aren’t doping that is) don’t deserve to be caught in the middle of the controversy.

The list of bloggers boycotting the Olympic sponsors/partners is growing.

Steve, and many, many other bloggers are renewing my interest in either an Olympic boycott, or a large blog oriented protest action against the IOC.

Anonymous: “I’m not downsizing what is happening in China. I would never agree with such acts of violence.
However, the only people your affecting when boycotting the games are the athletes.”

It isn’t only the athletes affected, however. The people who have been displaced from their homes have been forever affected in a negative way. The people who have been killed by a corrupt and anti-freedom government have been affected. Canada has to at least consider that we should put life before games. It’s our fault that athletes have put their lives into games that we did not keep pure. But the Olympics are now more about sponsorship and “partners” than they are about the true Olympic spirit. Protecting the Olympic “brand” is what VANOC is concerned with, not protecting the dignity and life work of athletes and the Olympic spirit!

I was reading the ridiculous VANcouver Olympic Committee logo use guidelines. For media they supposedly have different requirements for use of the Olympic logo. I asked what they were because the webpage said to email for further details if you were media:

——————————————————————————–
From: Saskboy [mailto:saskboy hotmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2007 12:53 PM
To: Media Relations
Subject: guidelines

Hi,
What are VANOC’s guidelines for media use of the Olympic logo in coverage of the games?

Thank you,
Saskboy
www.abandonedstuff.com

There response was both baffling in its presumption I was going to request to use their stupid emblem, and the severity with which they “protect” the Olympic spirit.

Thank you for your interest in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Unfortunately, we cannot permit your request to use the Vancouver 2010 emblem.

All uses of the Vancouver 2010 logo and wordmarks are strictly controlled. It is the responsibility of the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) to diligently protect the Olympic Brand that will be used in association with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

For the benefit of all Canadians, VANOC must ensure that the value of the Olympic Brand is maintained as part of its efforts to stage well-organized and financially successful Games. To preserve the value of the Olympic Brand, VANOC is obligated to ensure that it is used only by official sponsors and licensees who have acquired those rights. Under its commitment to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), VANOC cannot permit other parties to use the Olympic Brand or otherwise suggest an affiliation or connection with, or the sponsorship or approval of, VANOC, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the 2010 Winter Games, or the Olympic Movement in Canada.

For more information about the rules and regulations governing the use of the Olympic Brand, please visit our website at www.vancouver2010.com/en/LookVancouver2010/ProtectingBrand.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Vancouver 2010 Info

Want to get the latest information on the 2010 Winter Games? Join one of our mailing lists. Sign up now at www.vancouver2010.com.

bc

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In other words, “DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT, LOOOSURRR!”

Maybe they were afraid I was going to do this, like Havril did.

Mmmm, useless stuff. Soon it will become abandoned at junk yards and garage sales around the country.

I think as bloggers, we have a duty to mock the corporate branding mentality of the VANOC committee. Any ideas on the best ways to do this? Perhaps it would be a good idea if a lot more people linked to Havril’s mascot page?

When the 2012 Olympics roll around, it would be nice if copyright, and trademark law were modified enough in the right direction to allow bloggers to write about the games without worry of lawsuits. Perhaps the Olympics should have lawyer downhill bowling competitions? Maybe athletes will stand up to the Olympic committee and blog about the games with impunity.

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Hat tip to Creekside1.