Speakeasy app for the Games; horses given Eurotunnel preference; is USA Yoga stretching it with its Olympic idea?
USA Yoga is pushing for the sport to be an Olympic event. Photograph: Patrick Byrd/Alamy
Language app for visitors
A US professor has attempted to bridge the language gap at this summer's Games by creating a mobile phone app loaded with common British terms. The purpose-built Olympic translator can be set to over 20 languages to process 5,000 phrases that volunteers and emergency professionals are most likely to use. Giovanni Tata's design will enable users to speak into their device rather than type, something he believes will be quick and efficient. He told Deseret News: "[It's] similar to Google Translate but with that most of the time the translation is OK but not quite perfect."
Not everyone embracing the Games
Some Londoners are looking forward to the Games for reasons other than sport, patriotism and potential revenue. Research from Travelex suggests that a third of Britons booked to go on holiday this summer have chosen to do so during the Games, with residents in the Greenwich area in particular looking for a quick getaway. Derek Small, owner of the travel agency Flightcentre Greenwich, told News Shopper: "A lot of elderly people in particular have been coming in and wanting to get away." Greenwich Park will host the Olympic and Paralympic equestrian competitions, plus the combined running and shooting events of the modern pentathlon.
Blur's last show and Sex Pistols no-show
Blur's Olympic closing ceremony concert at Hyde Park on 12 August is likely to be their last. Frontman Damon Albarn has in the past shown his desire to make a new record with the band, who forged a career spanning a quarter of a century. But the Sex Pistols have announced they will not be playing at the Symphony of British Music event to mark the end of the Games. Probably best, as their call to arms in Anarchy in the UK and controversial take on God Save the Queen do not exactly represent the United Kingdom that Olympic organisers are keen to portray.
Yoga at the Olympics?
USA Yoga is pushing for the sport to become an Olympic discipline, with the organisation suggesting that Olympic recognition will push newcomers to get involved. However, not every member of the yoga community is on board with the idea, with Houston's Blue Tree Yoga founder, Jennifer Buergermeister, casting doubts: "I am concerned about what yoga as a competitive sport will convey to the rest of the world regarding its value," she told Houston Press. "Yoga is about finding bliss and an aware, focused mind using breathing exercises and other limbs on the path. How can that be competed? Bad idea."
Horses to travel in style
It will not be only human competitors that are given special treatment in London this summer, with dedicated travel arrangements for horses in place to ease stress. Eurotunnel recently launched a service for the Olympic games to transport them quickly and efficiently between France and Britain. John Parker, owner of the horse transport firm John Parker International, told Reuters how it compares with ferry travel: "The biggest advantage of Eurotunnel is speed. The journey is smooth and there is no risk the horses will be stuck at the port in case of bad weather conditions."
Wasters not living up to pledge
London 2012's promise of zero waste at the Games has been put under scrutiny after it was revealed that low-density polyethylene will be used by Olympic licensees, shops and suppliers. The London mayor Boris Johnson had previously hoped that the city would be plastic bag free by the time the Games arrive but the guidelines released by the London Committee suggest otherwise. Although this type of plastic can be recycled, the same guidelines claim it takes specialist reprocessing facilities to do it.
Angry businesses seek legal advice
Planned road closures and security restrictions during the Games have persuaded a group of around 40 east London companies to take advice from the law firm Bindmans in an attempt to gain compensation. The group, who claim the disruptions will put hundreds of jobs at risk by affecting trading, have donated funds as a fighting attempt against the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (Locog). Hackney-based Michael Spinks, leader of the group and the managing director of Essex Flour & Grain, claimed he would take on the committee himself if necessary: "I'll represent myself. I'm arrogant – you have to be to stand up to the Olympics."
Bikini top, Pampers bottom
The two-times US beach volleyball gold medallist Kerri Walsh has told Morning Edition she will not take up the offer of trading in a close-fitting bikini for more modest attire this summer. The sport's ruling body last month decided that women will not have to wear bikinis at the London Games and instead can opt to wear shorts and long-sleeved tops. Walsh, a winner in 2004 and 2008, who recently gained sponsorship from the nappy company Pampers, said the attire is something she feels comfortable with. "It's something I feel empowered by, not distracted with. I'm not a sex symbol; I'm an athlete. I want to be streamlined out there."
Good week …
The air rifle shooter Bahia al-Hamad has become the third woman to be confirmed to represent Qatar this summer after a silver medal win in the team event at the Arab shooting championships. The Qatar Olympic Committee, which along with Saudi Arabia and Brunei has yet to send female representatives to the Games, announced that the 19-year-old will compete in the 10 metres competition. She will represent her country alongside the swimmer Mohammed Wafa Arakji and the 100m and 200m sprinter Noor al-Malki. The QOC general-secretary, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, said he hopes the three women can leave a lasting impression. "Athletes like Bahia, Nada and Noor will also provide inspiration to the next generation of female Qatari sports," said Thani, whose committee is hoping to host the 2020 Games.
Bad week …
The Filipino boxer Charly Suarez has failed to qualify for the Games after losing 15-11 in the lightweight division finals of the Asian qualifying event to Liu Qiang of China in Kazakhstan. Defeat for Suarez, a two-times gold medallist at the South-East Asian Games, means Mark Anthony Barriga will be the only boxer to represent the Philippines this summer.
Tweets of the week
"There is a lot of middle-class rage at this boat race party, a few of these need a swim in the thames to cool off" – British hurdler @andrew_pozzi offers some advice to those a bit overexcited at the Boat Race.
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