ANKARA – An incomplete translation of John Lennon’s song Imagine during Turkish state TV coverage of the Olympics closing ceremony has the country’s independent media and secular opposition up in arms.
A reporter from state-run TRT television translated the famous song live, but omitted the last part of the lyrics when he came to the lines ”Imagine… nothing to kill or die for / And no religion too.” Oversight or censorship? (…)
via Turkey: State TV ”censors” Lennon’s Imagine | EuropeNews.
The countdown to the Olympics took a huge leap forward when the European Amateur Boxing Championships began in Turkey yesterday.
Though this is not a qualifying event, the results contribute towards the seedings used for the first time at next year’s Games.
The Europeans are the hardest of all the international championships because of the strength in depth. There are no Cubans or Americans but that is more than made up for with the involvement of the former Soviet republics, who churned out a host of brilliant boxers.
Though competitors represent their nations in these championships, they are ultimately fighting for Olympic places.
Team GB – which has 15 fighters in Turkey in arguably the best prepared group in the history of amateur boxing – is guaranteed representation in five categories as hosts but will be looking to fill all 10 divisions. Competition is fierce but with little more than a year to go we already know the likely stars.
Luke Campbell became the first English boxer to claim European gold in 47 years when he won at 54kg in Liverpool three years ago.
Since recovering from a hand injury last year he is unbeaten in seven multinational bouts.
And after moving up to 56kg [featherweight] the six-footer feels far more comfortable and will fancy his chances of gold again.
Thomas Stalker, a former European silver medallist and Commonwealth champion at lightweight, is moving up to light welterweight (64kg), which brings him into competition for the Olympic spot with Beijing veteran Bradley Saunders.
It is a risk worth taking.
Stalker does not want to make the same mistake as Frankie Gavin, who qualified for Beijing at lightweight then found he was unable to make the weight.
There is tough competition, too, at 52kg, between Andrew Selby of Wales and England’s Khaled Yafai.
DOn’T FORgeT MY WeBsiTe: www.barrymcguigan.com
via Euros a good early test of our Olympic credentials from 18 Jun 2011 – mirror.co.uk.
BRITAIN’S Olympic athletes will be performing with Team GB logos on their chest and “Made in Turkey” tags inside their clothing.
The gear worn by the UK's gold medal hopefuls will be manufactured outside the UK Read more:
The gear worn by gold medal hopefuls pentathletes Jessica Ennis and Heather Fell, cyclists Victoria Pendleton and Sir Chris Hoy will be manufactured outside the UK despite being designed by British fashion queen Stella McCartney.
Her stylish official merchandise, which is now on sale to fans, has been made in Turkey because of the demise of the British mass clothing industry.
Shoppers were shocked to see “Made in Turkey” labels in her designs, which range from singlets at £26 to hoodies selling for £60.
In a further blow to the British image, commemorative badges of landmarks like Buckingham Palace have been made in China.
The extent of foreign influence in 2012 merchandising has become clear with the official website shop offering only a handful of goods made in the UK.
McCartney’s designs for the team have yet to go into production but her general fashion range has been manufactured more than 1,500 miles from the Olympic Stadium.
“It is a great shame but the Olympics have come along too late for British clothing and textiles,” said Malcolm Ball, chairman of trade group, the Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing industry.
“The sad fact is that mass manufacturing went offshore a decade ago and what is left is very good but very niche. UKplc has evolved but unfortunately the clothing manufacturing sector has been a casualty because firms could not compete with China, Bangladesh and other parts of Europe on price.”
Britain still retains top quality design along with product research and development, but finished garments flood in from the Far East every day.
The London 2012 website is pushing a bewildering array of merchandise featuring the Union Jack, but made in China, Vietnam, India and Turkey. It includes egg cups, breakfast crockery, mugs, towels and bedspreads.
The latest marketing devices, which have just gone on sale, are £6 silhouette pin badges of Buckingham Palace, Nelson’s Column, the Monument and the Albert Hall – all made in China. With no trace of irony, they are also selling badges of London’s Chinatown.
“A lot of the design and creative work is done in the UK but often manufacture will take place outside the UK. Where possible our licensees do manufacture in the UK,” said a 2012 spokesperson.
“Some people have described 2012 as the year of two Christ-mases because there are huge opportunities for manufacturers and retailers with the interest in merchandise.”
Over 95 per cent of contracts were awarded to firms with a UK base and British business will get a £5billion surge from merchandise, he added.
An Adidas spokesman said: “To celebrate the Games being held in London, Adidas wanted to work with the best British designer, so appointed Stella McCartney as its creative director.
“Adidas works with business partners from all over the world to manufacture its collections. We only conduct business with those who work in a fair, honest and responsible manner.”
via Express.co.uk – Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | UK News :: The London 2012 Olympics (Made in Turkey!).
