Mini Minis’ Help Keep Field Events on Track

Jed Jacobsohn for The New York TimesThe Olympic “Mini Minis” are a quarter the size of a production Mini Cooper.

LONDON – Tottling to and fro along the right-hand side of the javelin green at Olympic Stadium here are three newcomers to the track: adorable miniature Mini Coopers.
Is it a commercial for BMW? Basically. As an official sponsor of the Games, BMW was among the handful of brands (we’re looking at you, Omega) that managed to get an exclusive marketing deal in the Olympic Park, and in the heart of one of the most significant sites of the London Games as well. The opportunity gave birth to the Olympic “Mini Minis.”
In the past, motorized boxes have been used to tote javelins, discuses, shots and hammers from the field back to their throwers, cutting down on time (and volunteer exhaustion).