On 1 May 2012 in my Blog posting I discussed the meaning, values and significance of “Fundamental Principles of Olympism”. Continuing on that theme, it is refreshing to notice that more and more observes with an eye on justice and virtue are rightly criticising the destructive and disgraceful commercialism, consumerism, sponsorship by fast food giants, soda fizzy drinks manufacturers, factory outlets, and more of the Olympic movement in general and the Olympic games in London in particular. See below for such an example:
…'Wrong message'
“As a cardiologist I treat heart disease on a daily basis… But, having seen the unspeakable suffering caused by diet-related diseases, I would much rather these patients did not develop them in the first place...
In the context of an obesity epidemic I find it obscene that the Olympics chooses to associate itself with fast food, sugary drinks, chocolate and alcohol.Labour shadow minister for public health Diane Abbott, whose constituency is in East London close to the Olympic village, is equally scathing:
"I think it's quite shocking that McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Cadbury's, and Heineken are the main food sponsors," she says.
"These are products which are all very well as a treat, but what Olympic sponsorship allows them to do is promote their brand and insinuate themselves into people's daily diet."…
Impact on children
I also believe it is wrong for sporting role models to endorse junk food such as sugary drinks, chocolate and crisps. Of particular concern is the negative impact this has on our children.
The largest McDonald's in the world has been built at the Olympic park. And it is naive and ignorant of sports men and women to blame obesity on lack of physical activity.
I encourage the health benefits of regular exercise, but this is not the solution in tackling obesity. One would have to run for five hours to burn the calories of consuming a chocolate bar, a packet of crisps and a burger and chips washed down with a fizzy drink…It is time for regulation that has an impact.
A ban on firms such as McDonald's and Coca-Cola from sponsoring major sporting events and the prohibition on the use of celebrities to sell unhealthy food and drink to children would be a good start.”…
Read more:
Viewpoint: Ban junk food sponsors from Olympic sports
By Dr Aseem Malhotra, Cardiologist, London
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18708790?print=true
The Modern Olympics and the Fundamental Principles of Olympism
http://gcgi.info/kamrans-blog/145-the-modern-olympics-and-the-fundamental-principles-of-olympism