The Olympics v Dow Chemical…What if companies like TOMs Shoes supported the Olympics?
Interesting piece on NPR last night: London Olympics Under Fire For Dow Chemical Ties
LONDON (AP) — Just a few months ago, Dow Chemical was hailed by the organizers of the London Olympics for saving a visual centerpiece — an artistic wrap around Olympic Stadium. Now, the Olympic sponsor is sparking the kind of controversy that no one wants.
Dow’s link to the company accused in the 1984 Bhopal gas leak — the world’s worst industrial disaster — has brought a cascade of criticism down upon the organizing committee. Protesters in the central Indian city of Bhopal burned an effigy Friday of Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London organizing committee, and one Indian official has even uttered the word boycott.
Emotions in India are still raw, for the Bhopal disaster killed 15,000 people and injured half a million, according to the government, and is being blamed for major local health problems 27 years later.
More here.
To me, this is no different than the relationships lobbyists, congressmen and corporations have. Should there be an official values alignment between what the Olympics stand for, and the values of the companies offering sponsorship?
The Olympics might be a very, very different event if it were sponsored by TOMs Shoes, (the original) Ben & Jerry, (the original) Aveda, (the original) Toms of Maine, Sierra Nevada Brewing, Anchor Steam, Amy’s Frozen Foods, Story of Stuff, etc.
