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DEL.ICIO.USAn Olympic scandal in the ATL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Butterfly doesn’t usually read like the police blotter, but I leave for Beijing in three weeks as part of the AJC’s Olympics coverage team.
So here’s an Olympic tale wrought with scandal and intrigue.
Nicholas Wolaver was a lad growing up in America’s heartland when Atlanta was awarded the 1996 games. He wrapped up a degree in mass communications at Minnesota State, Mankato, in 1995 and hustled south, signing on with the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games.
His Olympic fervor persisted long after the last Izzy doll was sold at a yard sale, and he had a specialty tag that said OLYMPIC on his black Volvo sedan.
That’s right, had. Scoundrels made off with the tag Monday while Wolaver, a senior media supervisor at the Edelman public relations firm, was parked at Spring and Marietta streets downtown.
“If it was returned, I would sure appreciate it. I’m not seeking to prosecute,” said Wolaver, who says he’s received no ransom note from the perps and thus far has not considered a reward. “I can appreciate why someone would want something like that. There are a lot of people who collect Olympic items.”
Ebay abounds with all sorts of Olympics gear. Someone in Greensboro, N.C., is hawking a Wheaties box from the Atlanta Games for 8 bucks. A seller in Apopka, Fla., offers a sports guide from the 1996 Games for $3.25.
With this kind of cash to be made, Wolaver’s naturally concerned that someone will try to fence his tag, earning him a trip to the DMV for a new one. And even though the Olympics are supposed to stoke friendship and goodwill in hearts around the world, Wolaver’s not necessarily banking on victory.
“My expectations are low if it gets returned,” he said “I’d be really impressed if it did.”
Political columnist Dick Yarbrough, who handled public relations for the Atlanta Games, was saddened but not shocked to hear of his former employee’s misfortune.
“It isn’t surprising that he got ripped off. We had people climbing poles and stealing Centennial banners,” said Yarbrough, author of a book about the Atlanta Games, And They Call Them Games.
Pressed to account for his whereabouts on Monday, Yarbrough supplied an airtight alibi.
“I am innocent,” he protested. “ I was dragging the algae out of the Chinese lake at the time the crime occurred.”
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