Sponsor Spotlight - G4S Losses; Sochi Car; Visa Criticism at Paralympics

G4S Losses from Games

The failure of private security contractor G4S to fulfill its commitments for the London Olympics cost the firm $79 million. The loss was revealed in its interim financial results announced Tuesday.

The British government and LOCOG were forced to draft in several thousand military troops just two weeks before the Games after G4S announced it had been unable to train enough guards to cover venue security.

G4S chief executive Nick Buckles apologized for the company's failure to deliver its $448 million contract. Despite its inability to provide the promised 10,400 security guards for Olympic venues, G4S claimed it had deployed 8,000 staff during the Games and delivered 83 percent of contracted shifts.

The company claimed there would be no problems in staffing the Paralympics.

Skoda Unveil Sochi Car

Czech automaker Skoda made public its official Sochi 2014 vehicle in Moscow this week.

The Skoda Yeti Sochi is a special model designed for the 2014 Winter Olympics, for which Skoda is a sponsor. The car will go on sale in Russia in 2013 and will be one of the official cars for the 2014 Olympics.

"Russia is a pillar of our international growth plans," said Skoda CEO Winfried Vahland.

"This country is one of the world’s strongest-growing markets and offers tremendous potential for Skoda."

Dutch NOC Extends Partnership

The Dutch NOC extended its partnership with ATP Event Experts until 2020.

ATP Event Experts serves as the official Ticketing and Travel Agency for the Dutch NOC. The agency will continue its duties of managing ticketing and travel for the Ducth Olympic team for the next two Summer Games.

The agency will continue its duties in managing Holland House during the Games as well.

"We want our enthusiastic sports fans to continue to enjoy the Olympics for years to come," said Gerard Dielessen, director, Dutch National Olympic Committee.

"With ATP Event Experts as our Official Ticket & Travel Agent, we’re confident that they will be able to provide the same exceptional level of service and support."

The Dutch NOC has been working with ATP Event Experts since 1997.

Paralympics Sponsor Under Fire

Visa failed to provide audio assistance software for ATMs in time for the Paralympics.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People has threatened legal action against the Paralympics sponsor for failing to provide the software.

Visa worked with LOCOG and the RNIB to ensure that the ATMs provided for the Games did not break the U.K.'s Equality Act.

In the end, Visa’s ATMs were in line with the Act, but there was not enough time to implement audio assistance software in time for the Games.

"Visa is committed to addressing the needs of blind and partially sighted people in using ATMs in the UK and will work with our member banks and the RNIB to improve accessibility," said Visa in a statement.

Visa provided ATMs for the London Olympics and Paralympics in accordance with its TOP sponsorship agreement.

Written by Aaron Bauer.

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