Not So Fast

London Olympic chief Sebastian Coe says not to worry: Image of 2012 Games won’t be scarred

" LONDON — After days of silence while images of fires, looting and riots were beamed across screens around the world, the chief organizer of the London Olympics finally spoke and essentially said: The state of the games is fine.

Sebastian Coe, an Olympic great and former Parliament member, said Thursday he has conferred with IOC President Jacques Rogge and other sports leaders as the mayhem in England provided a jarring counterpoint to a showpiece event that will be held in less than a year. He said they assured him the image of the Olympics would not be scarred by the violence."