A number of UK Embassies across the world are urging the nations that they represent to apply now for their UK Visa if they are hoping to make it to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. In a bid to deal with the expected influx of people set to arrive on British shores this summer, UK Immigration has already begun processing UK Visa applications to meet the increasing demand.

A number of UK Visa and Immigration service providers are also on hand to help people from all over the globe to complete their Olympic Visa applications. These services offer fantastic advice and guidance and can also take the stress out of having to apply for a Visa by yourself. The process of applying for a UK Visa can be daunting because of the amount of paperwork involved.

However, the earlier people apply; the better as leaving it to the latest minute could result in delays and even disappointment at not being able to obtain a UK Visa at all. For those attending the London Olympics in an official capacity, UK Immigration will issue these people with an Olympic Accreditation Card.

Official capacity status applies to accredited athletes, coaches, officials and the media and they will be accredited by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). The Olympic Accreditation Card will give the holder complete access to all Olympic and Paralympic venues and in the majority of cases, the card will serve as a ‘free pass’ to the UK. This will allow holders entry to the UK without a visa between 30th March 2012 and November 8th 2012.

People attending the UK Olympics as tourists will have to abide by UK Immigration laws. Therefore, standard procedures will still apply throughout the duration of the Olympic Games and the process for applying will be no different than applying at any other time. » Read more: Looking to Attend the London 2012 Olympics? Then It’s Advised to Apply for Your UK Visa Now

No one can deny that the Olympic Games bring nations together, and help humans understand that we aren’t all that different, and that we all very much care about doing our best, our country, and competition. Recently, some scholars have gotten together and noted that the Olympic Games have not stopped humans from having wars, and while that may be true, we don’t know for sure how many wars have been prevented due to the mutual benefit and coming together of humans across the planet in these Olympic Games over the years.

Now then, let me ask you a question; “do the Olympic Games also help international business cooperation, free and fair trade, and working together to help economic development and our global economy?” I believe the answer is yes, and I have noted in discussing with my international business acquaintances about the Olympic Games, and I have congratulated them on one of their athletes or teams in winning a gold medal or competing quite handedly in Olympic competition. Indeed, I have also noted the topic being brought up by them to me.

If anything else, this becomes an icebreaker, a celebration of humanity and human competition across the planet. We are much better off if we can compete in sports competition rather than in wars. Perhaps this is what the International Olympic Committee had considered around the turn of the 1900s. In hindsight, and we can mathematically point to these issues, there have been more wars, not fewer, and more people killed in wars as well. Of course we can’t blame this on the Olympic Games, nor should we pretend that the Olympics could stop all human conflict. » Read more: International Business Cooperation – Does The Olympics Help the Process?

Introduction

London 2012 was a remarkable occasion for Team GB athletes who surpassed all expectations. There were clearly pressures placed on Team GB to succeed, but for some it was the taking part that counted. Niger rower Hammadou Djibo Issako, despite finishing nearly 2 minutes behind the winner in the mens’ single sculls event, claimed he would encourage new talent into the sport In addition, Sarah Attar, the first female track athlete to compete for Saudi Arabia received a standing ovation. However, given the status of the Games, the ‘taking part’ has become more than symbolic in recent years. As well as the honour of representing your country, for many, it has become an opportunity to enhance their ‘commodity’ value. For example, Jessica Ennis’ gold medal gave her a strong bargaining position to re-negotiate sports merchandising contracts; selection for National Olympic Teams therefore has been given elevated importance. It is not surprising that numerous challenges have been made to selection decisions and selection criteria in the Courts.

The Facts – Dwain Chambers

One of these challenges came from Dwain Chambers, a UK 100m sprinter who, in August 2003 tested positive for a banned substance Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG). In February 2004, UK Athletics found him guilty after a contested hearing of doping, and he received a mandatory two-year ban with effect from October 2003. Although he contested the charge, he later admitted using THG for 18 months prior to its detection. He also used a cocktail of six other banned drugs which included: testosterone/epitestosterone cream; erythropoietin; insulin; human growth hormone; modafinil; andiothyronine. Since his ban however, he has remained drug free and has spoken publicly against drug taking in sport- the consequences of which were for him severe. He was stripped of all medals won during the period when he was taking drugs, including the 2002 European Championship gold medal and the 4 x 100m relay gold. He also agreed with the IAAF and UK Athletics to pay back just over $100,000 in prize money won during this period.

Chambers v British Olympic Association

When his ban ended, he returned to athletics in 2006 and won gold at the European Championships with the 4 x 100m relay team. He also won the 100m trial for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 which, in principle, entitled him to Team GB selection. However, between him and his goal of competing in the 2008 Games stood a problem in the form of the ‘eligibility criteria’ or bye-law 25 set by the British Olympic Association (BOA) for Team GB selection. » Read more: Eligibility to Compete at the Olympics Following a Doping Offence: The Legal Position Explained