BAD NEWS: IT’S TOM LASORDA’S DNA

Australia’s paper money is plastic coated and each bill has a little plastic window, the better to thwart counterfeiters. Official licensed Olympic merchandise has DNA.

Says a tag that comes with Olympic-related purchases, “This tag and official stickers are authenticated with DNA to ensure you are purchasing genuine Sydney 2000 Olympic Games merchandise.

“To assist the fight against counterfeiters, please return all tags and stickers with your name, address, purchase date, store and product description attached for DNA verification to our post-free address.”

The address is listed, then, along with a phone number for the “Counterfeit hotline.”