The British Olympic Association (BOA) today reversed their decision not to accredit the UK’s oldest and biggest black newspaper to the Olympic Stadium media centre.
ZIta Holbourne started a change.org petition calling on officials to back down over the decision on Monday. By Wednesday lunchtime more than 2,600 people had signed.
Rodney Hinds, Sports Editor at the Voice, Said: “Thanks to everyone who got behind Zita’s campaign – it’s proof that people power does work and we’re humbled by the public’s response. While it’s a shame it had to get this far, Credit to the BOA and IOC for agreeing to let us cover the games. We look forward to delivering first class coverage of the Games from our unique perspective.”
Brie Rogers Lowery, UK Campaigns Director at Change.org said: “This is what Change.org is all about. Zita’s campaign shows that an individual can launch a campaign on an issue they care about and build up enough support to win. We’re thrilled that Zita and The Voice could make a real difference by using Change.org.”
Leading figures had queued up to demand that BOA officials reverse the decision, including David Lammy MP, SImon Woolley, Chair of Operation Black Vote and Jamaican High Commissioner Aloun Assamba, Tessa Jowell MP and London Mayor Boris Johnson.