Merlo persistence pays off for media at London Olympics

By Roslyn Morris, AIPS Secretary General

LAUSANNE/LONDON, July 4, 2012 – International media accredited to the London 212 Olympic Games will benefit from a solution of solidarity forged at the recent European Athletics Championships in Helsinki by AIPS President Gianni Merlo and LOCOG Chairman Lord Sebastian Coe.

 

"I AM DELIGHTED WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH AIPS IN HELPING MEDIA COVER THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN LONDON" - Lord Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games.

 

Following the very amicable and fruitful meeting between Coe and Merlo, LOCOG has agreed to provide 75 Bronze Internet Packages which will be distributed for use on a needs basis amongst accredited AIPS members in London. 

 

Gianni Merlo said he was absolutely delighted that with LOCOG’s support, AIPS is now able to assist journalists in need of support to cover the costly Internet fees imposed by LOCOG’s Rate Card.

 

“Together with LOCOG’s offer to expand free LAN connections within the Main Press Centre to 50, 20 free terminals within the photographers’ room, and the provision of 142 LAN connections in the venues* I believe we are really at a good point, and I thank Seb Coe and Jayne Pearce, Head of LOCOG Media Operations for their generous commitment, which is one of great solidarity for the media.

LOCOG Chairman Lord Coe said: ‘I am delighted we have been able to reach agreement with AIPS in helping media cover the Olympic Games in London. Stable, reliable internet connection is key for media and these accounts, along with the internet lounge and open terminals we are providing in all of our venue media centres, will ensure that media, whatever their means, can cover  the Games.’

“AIPS will work closely with our 156 member National Associations to determine which journalists have the most need. The Bronze Packages will be distributed in London on a shared basis, and because it is possible to have multiple users, we will ask our members to work together for the benefit of as many as possible. This will be managed from the AIPS office in the Main Press Centre,” Merlo said