The Summer Olympics

London won the bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics beginning on July 27th. One of the principal sponsors is UPS - "Mr. Brown" himself - who are designated to handle the logistics of this seventeen day roster of events. I was reminded of it reading an interview with a member of the equestrian team and the challenge of moving the horses, riders and gear to an overseas destination and dealing with the various visa and health requirements. Presumably, UPS will be using their air fleet for such purposes.

In 1948 London was also the site which was before jet travel. The USA team went over on the U.S.Lines liner S.S. AMERICA with the athletes in their white trousers and skirts and blue blazers. Our rowing team was led by young Jack Kelly (brother of Grace) a champion oarsman from Philadelphia. All the rowing shells and sculls were stowed on the deck of the vessel. Young "Kel" acquitted himself well in his event and his award was a sort of vindication for his father, John B. Kelly Sr who was a champion oarsman in his own right a generation before. But Kelly Sr. was snubbed by the Royal Henley regatta committee in 1920 and denied participation because as an apprentice brick layer he performed "manual labour" and the rules then disqualified him.  Kelly Sr. then entered the 1920 Olympics winning the Gold Medal in the single and double sculls and in doing so defeated the winner of the Royal Henley Regatta.
tjs
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