CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN SCANDAL FELT AROUND THE WORLD, STRIKING PARIS HOTEL STAFF GET OLYMPICS BOSSES IN A TIZZ... AND TEAM GB HAVE A SURPRISE GUEST
- A German newspaper ran a poll on whether horses should be in the Olympics
- Hotel workers went on strike at the IOC hotel ahead of a banquet dinner event
- Team GB clinched a key deal for Los Angeles 2028 and extended a sponsorship
Mick Jagger was a surprise guest a reception for Team GB at the British Embassy earlier this week.
The Rolling Stones lead singer, 80, was swiftly serenaded upon arrival by the house band, who launched into an impromptu rendition of Satisfaction.
On a gloriously sunny evening in the grounds of the residence, Pimms was served, along with English sparkling wine Nyetimber and Eton Mess, with Dame Menna Rawlings the host.
Team GB's special relationship with the US pays off
Team GB have secured exclusive use of one of the world’s leading campuses for the LA Games.
Stanford University will be the base for the 300 athletes expected to head to America’s west coast in 2028 in what will be viewed as a major coup.
The state-of-the-art facilities will allow the group to acclimatise and adjust to the eight-hour time difference.
It is understood that GB’s special relationship with the US Olympic Committee played a key role in the move.
British Olympic official puts his French to the test
British Olympic Association chief exec Andy Anson put his Oldham education to good use when he addressed dignitaries at Team GB’s camp host Saint-Germain-en-Laye earlier this week.
Anson was invited to the town to commemorate the fallen in D-Day, laying a wreath along with the mayor.
At a subsequent town hall reception Anson, formerly commercial director at Manchester United and now chair of Lancashire County Cricket Club, gave a speech entirely in French, to thank the hosts for their assistance and first-rate facilities.
Team GB upstaged on Eurostar
A group of Team GB stars were upstaged on their own Eurostar – when Lebron James and the US’s Dream Team boarded the carriage.
Long-term deal with adidas renewed
Team GB have renewed their sponsorship deal with kit manufacturers adidas.
The German giants will continue to provide gear for the next eight years, extending one of the longest-running partnerships in world sport.
The original deal started at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 and the Brits will again be in adidas when they return to the Californian city for the Games in four years’ time – and when they head to Brisbane in 2032.
IOC boss in a tizz over striking hotel staff
Panic at the International Olympic Committee hotel on Thursday when staff went on strike in a row over low salaries.
Insiders say president Thomas Bach was in somewhat of a tizz at the five-star Hotel du Collectionneur given the venue was to host a fine banquet on Thursday night.
Managers, technicians and cleaners held up placards in corridors to protest.
Dujardin scandal's impact felt worldwide
The ramifications of the Charlotte Dujardin scandal are being felt across the world.
In Germany, a poll of Bild readers found 78 per cent wanted horses out of the Games.