Celebs join Potch Olympic bid campaign

With the official launch last Thursday night in Cape Town, many of the celebrities supporting the bid will make statements on the night; be sure to keep checking in to see what they have to say, and who else has joined the bid.

Already a large number of people have pledged their initial support, however. Comedian Marc Lottering was an early backer, as was TV and radio personality Natalie Becker. Former Springbok great Christian Stewart was almost overcome with enthusiasm at the prospect, while former South African cricketer Adrian Kuiper was quick to get on board.

5FM's Gareth Cliff, Cape Talk's John Maytham and Chris Verrijdt and 702's David O'Sullivan were some of the early radio backers, while cricket commentator Mike Haysman was quick to get on board.

The Western Province cricket team were enthusiastic supporters, with Neil Johnson declaring it a splendid project, while Ajax Cape Town Football Club gave the project their full support.

The Stormers also jumped on board; with the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players Fund (the official charity of the Bid) one of the Stormers' two designated charities, the Men In Black were only too happy to join the cause.

Springbok hooker John Smit sent his best wishes from Durban, and expressed genuine disappointment at being unable to attend the launch in Cape Town.
National hockey stars Kerry Bee, Ian Symmons and John McInroy all pledged their support, and gladly accepted invitations to the launch.

Gorgeous triathlete Dominique Donner leapt on board, as did Gladiators host James Lennox, former Springbok James Small, ex-South African cricketer Craig Matthews, Bafana Bafana star Dillon Shepherd, and Idols host Marcus Brewster, who has brought his publicity company on board, and secured the support of well-known Greek underwear model Helen Constantine.

Bid directors Dan Nicholl and Darrel Bristow-Bovey confessed to being pleasantly surprised by the support. "Having so many well-known South Africans on board is fantastic," Nicholl said. "It takes us that much closer to achieving our dream."

Potch 2012 Concert

The organisers and supporters of the Potch 2012 Olympic bid have announced preliminary news of the Bid Concert, currently scheduled for 20 June 2003. For the past week or so they have been negotiating with a number of current and former stars of song, and were overwhelmed by their positive response to the ideals and intentions of Potch 2012.

Well-known sports fans such as Robbie Williams and Elton John have thrown their weight fully behind the bid's vision of returning world sport to its purer, commercially unadulterated state. "It is time we returned pride and passion and simplicity to sport, and let money take care of itself," reads a statement from a source close to the Elton John camp.

Due to scheduling conflicts, however, neither Williams nor John have as yet been confirmed for the Concert on the Mooi. The concert itself is a first of its kind in South Africa. A floating stage is to be erected in the Mooi river, from which a state-of-the-art sound system will broadcast the concert to neighbouring district. In keeping with the ethos of Potch 2012, the concert will be free and there will be no pre-booked seating. Concert-goers will line the banks of the Mooi or, if they live near-by, will be able to stay at home and open their windows.

The full line-up is yet to be finalised, but artists announcing their intention to attend include:

· Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones
· Hootie (of Blowfish fame)
· KC and several of his Sunshine Band
· Shirley Bassey
· Katrina (and negotiations are advanced in persuading the Waves to join her)
· two members of N'Sync who have asked their names to be withheld until closer to the time
· the bassist from Coldplay
· Thirty-Odd Foot of Grunts (the Australian rock band fronted by Russel Crowe). (Russel Crowe still to confirm his individual availability.)
· In addition, there will be a guest appearance by Mark Shuttleworth's brother's band, all the way up from Cape Town.

Find out all you need to know about the Potch bid, (and more) at: sport.iafrica.com/the_potch_bid/why_potch.