Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Olympics: Please, don't ask for Pimm's... or chips

 

Will Dean
Wednesday 11 July 2012 18:27 EDT
Comments
All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club members enjoying Pimm's at Wimbledon
All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club members enjoying Pimm's at Wimbledon (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

We're all aware of the Olympics' tenacious guarding of their sponsors' rights. And, if you're not, try getting into the archery at Lord's with an oversized "I LOVE BURGER KING" T-shirt. But this past week has seen two of the more hilarious cases. First the – not at all surprising – news that Pimm's, the drink that is to a day at Wimbledon as flat lager is to the British football experience, is to be sold unbranded at the tennis event.

While, it would be quite easy to sell, say, Carling as "lager", Pimm's doesn't have an obvious generic equivalent. "Plastic pot of gin-based fruit cup, sir?" What about Guinness? "Pint of black and white Irish dry stout drink please!"

Elsewhere, a photo of a sign informing Olympic Park staff that caterers aren't allowed – thanks to a McDonald's deal – to serve portions of chips individually. They can, however, be served with fish. A bit of Kafkaesque loop-holing that, judging by the reaction on Twitter, seems to have provided a chip to break the camel's back of public outrage at the Games' corporatism.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in