Olympic Broadcasting Services, the production company which delivered the television coverage used by RTÉ at the Olympic and Paralympic Games has had its assets in Brazil seized by court order.
This was on foot of a reported lawsuit by Brazilian authorities seeking potential damages for “overworked” employees over the course of the Games.
The Associated Press is reporting that broadcast equipment, trucks and financial assets have been taken under court control to prevent them being removed from the country until settlement is reached.
RTÉ dealt directly with Olympic Broadcasting Services during the Games, as opposed to previous times when it was part of a wider European Broadcasting Union group.
In a statement issued yesterday the company said that “Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) is an internationally renowned organisation responsible for the television coverage and distribution of the signals of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to broadcasters around the world.”
“OBS takes pride in ensuring that regardless of where the Games take place the professionals participating in the operation are provided with working conditions which are in line with the best practices of the industry at an international level and makes extraordinary efforts to help the development of broadcasting professionals at the host cities of the Games.”
“The Broadcast of the Rio Olympic Games to the world involved the efforts of over 7,000 professionals from more than 70 different countries, including a large proportion of Brazilians who participated in the largest televised sport event in the world.”
“With respect to the latest events, Olympic Broadcasting Services confirms that the lawsuit was brought to the company’s acknowledgement by a judicial order coinciding with the conclusion of the internationally acclaimed coverage that showcased to the world the best of Rio and Brazil.”
“The company is already taking all legal measures in order to guarantee its defense in the lawsuit.”
“Out of respect to the ongoing legal procedure, the company will not make any comments on any specifics while the case is under judicial review.”
Ireland has become very familiar with the Brazilian Judicial system through the arrest and charges laid at Olympic Council of Ireland President Pat Hickey and fellow Irishman and Finance director for The Hospitality Group Kevin Mallon.
Both men remain in Brazil awaiting a date for trial on charges relating to the sale of Olympic tickets.
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