I read with dismay this week at the Olympic Committee’s decision that only fans who use a Visa debit, credit or pre paid card will be permitted to make ticket purchases.
Visa will also have exclusivity inside the village so that any purchases made or money withdrawn from cash points will only be permitted if using the Visa system of payment, or cash.
It will come as no surprise that Visa is one of the major sponsors of the Olympics. Suffice to say I am shocked that both the Olympic Committee and Visa believe they can get away with this.
It is utterly outrageous, and there are two immediate issues which I am particularly concerned about.
First there is the obvious problem it causes for consumers; the whole experience will not be something that everyone can enjoy but it will become exclusive to just those who use the Visa method of payment or are prepared to carry enough cash around to cover all eventualities.
Second, and this is a potentially very serious issue, are the anti-competition implications which could be very embarrassing for our country. I know that the European Commission, charged with monitoring the EU’s strict competition rules, is concerned about the Visa monopoly at the 2012 Olympics.
I have, in fact, tabled an Oral Question to the European Commission on this issue. The Question will now not go forward until September and I will keep you informed of any developments between now and then.
Mary, are you actually sure that cash IS allowed? it seems just one more reason to boycott the whole tawdry circus