Congratulations, Sydney, You've Done It |
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday September 24, 1993
As an Australian living in Europe I was watching the decisive Olympic ceremony last night, live on television in Barcelona, the host of the 1992 Olympics. As Senor Samaranch pulled out that envelope, I thought:
Damn | Politics is going to be the winner and Australia, the team that achieved the best overall presentation, is not going to win the 2000 Olympics. And then:
BANG | The fireworks exploded in Sydney | Direct | Live to the global village | The Aussies had won |
I'm proud, really proud |
Being in Europe and on one of the world's major stages, I have been very aware of the complexities behind the decision for the Olympics 2000, which have been constantly highlighted over the last couple of months through all media. The underlying issue in all of the commentary has been world politics and its potential influence on the decision. However, despite all this, Australia has won.
Really, congratulations to the Sydney 2000 Committee. It has done a fantastic job. It has more than won the 2000 Olympics; it has achieved this goal with great integrity. Its achievement sets the agenda for Australia and its place in the world for the new millennium.
However, there's only one thing that, for me, went very wrong last night. Forgive me for saying this, in this moment of great celebration, but it soured the whole experience. Suddenly, my European television faded from the jubilant images at Sydney Harbour to the press conference in Monaco, and what did I see?
The Australian flag - and in the top right-hand (sic) corner of the Australian flag was the flag of Manchester. And I thought, Australia 2000? How can Australia host this international event flying the flag of Manchester?
Mike Mullins,
(The Lone Anzac),
Barcelona (Spain).
September 24
The scenes of innocent national pride and exuberance early Friday morning, the subliminal significance of the year 2000, and the seven years of focus on presenting the image of Australia today to the rest of the world: surely the Sydney 2000 Olympics are the biggest gift imaginable to the republican cause
Julie Perigo,
Drummoyne.
September 24
I am delighted with the result of our Olympic bid for the year 2000, but I abhor the attempts by politicians to hijack this result for their own purposes, particularly Keating, who has already implied that support for the Games is automatic support for a republic. I don't feel strongly about a republic and I don't want to be made to feel that my joy of having the Games in Sydney constitutes support in any way for a Prime Minister whom I don't respect or want.
We had a terrific bid organisation, and I hate to think that its efforts will be prostituted by politicians for their own nefarious gains.
George Freuden,
North Bondi.
September 24
After our appalling lack of sensitivity and good manners following the Wallabies/Springboks game, when we displayed to the world how pleased we were with ourselves, is it necessary to remind those in high places to show a touch of humility and gratitude to the citizens of Beijing and Manchester?
Might I suggest that the mayors of these two cities, along with the Queen of Australia, who no doubt will open the Games, be invited as our principal guests and feted appropriately.
Alan Clube,
Summer Hill.
September 24
It was delightful to see the blurred figure of our Premier, Mr John Fahey, leaping up and almost out of the television screen early this morning, the moment the name of Sydney was announced.
I will buy any car or brand of merchandise promoted by John Fahey.
Lawrence Chen,
Lindfield.
September 24
I am glad to see the final Sydney Olympics bid effort, from Annita to Tanya, emphasised the diversity of being Australian.
I also hope this will stop those Super Patriots who insist that the rest of us should integrate into their second-hand and second-rate Eurocentrism.
Of equal, if not of greater, importance is my hope that those who claim pride in this Australian diversity, especially the politicians, will finally restore to the Koori people their rights.
Adrian Chan,
Ashfield.
September 24
Today my city was dealt a blow from which it will take years to recover.
Initially, there will be carefully orchestrated euphoria; eventually, as is happening in Atlanta, the realisation will dawn that we are spending money we don't have in order to impress people who don't matter. We can't afford the Games | Can anyone afford an event which is rapidly increasing its demands for futile extravagance?
I would like a guarantee from our revered Government that:
* not one cent will be diverted to the Games from our already cash-starved infrastructure, thereby leading to a further deterioration of the standard of living for our citizens;
* those in our city who live in privately rented accommodation will not be adversely affected by this insanity;
* traffic and parking conditions in our city will not degenerate further.
Let us not have mere assertions; these are easily made, and meaningless. Where are the detailed plans that will ensure that no citizen of Australia will suffer as a result of this foolish decision?
Some, in twisted nationalistic fervour, will claim that this decision is an indication that Sydney can take on the world and beat it. But did anyone ever doubt it? Could it be that this bid was designed and managed by those who do not believe in Australia?
Gaye McSweeney,
Revesby.
September 24
In the midst of our euphoria about the Games, please God, let us bring in generous and immediate justice for Aboriginal people so that, before the year 2000, we may truly be a united people. Some Aboriginal people went to Monaco and fought for this moment. Let us not betray their trust in our future together.
Rev Dorothy McCrae-McMahon,
National Director for Mission, Uniting Church in Australia,
Sydney.
September 24
Now that "the decision" has been made, may I ask another simple question?(My last was in Le tters, September 20.)
How may I now purchase my tickets to the opening and closing Olympic ceremonies? (Or am I showing my naivety in believing that they are not already promised?)
Janice Creenaune,
Austinmer.
September 24
Now that Sydney has been awarded the Olympic Games in the year 2000, will there be sufficient time and funds available to train all our athletes, commentators, politicians and general hangers-on who will be speaking to the media to pronounce their country's name correctly?
No more OSTRAYA, please |
Beverley Weynton,
Waterloo.
September 24
Well, I'm sorry, but I can't get excited about Sydney hosting the Olympic Games in seven years' time. So now all those thousands of tourists will immediately switch their year 2000 travel plans from Beijing to Sydney, which by then will be a third-world city.
The optimists boast that the whole world will now be watching every aspect of our lives. Probably they will, in the same way we have been hopelessly obsessed with Atlanta. I predict that the Olympics won't be on the front page of even the Sydney papers within a fortnight.
Before getting carried away, Sydney-siders should consider how enthusiastic they would be if another city had won this time, or if (heaven forbid)Melbourne had won the staging of the 1996 Olympics.
Simon Freke,
Neutral Bay.
September 24
Well, now that I have just read that Sydney is to host the 2000 Olympic Games, may I make a suggestion: that the Games should be organised by the people who run Australia's largest street parade, party and cultural festival- the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
We would be assured of a most colourful event and, as recently reported, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras contributes in excess of $38 million to the Australian economy without any government or tourism body support. Imagine what these organisers of the Mardi Gras could do for the Games with some government support.
Matthew Stewart,
Leichhardt.
September 24
What a pity for this poor nation
That Sydney will become an Olympic Station
'Tis a cause of great regret
That we all embrace much greater debt.
Clive Deverall,
McMahons Point.
September 24
Congratulations to Sydney's Olympic bid team. The acceptance of Sydney as the host city for the 2000 Olympics is a triumph for the athletes, the environment and for human rights - and how often does the host city's postcode match the year of its hosting the Games?
Alice De Angelis,
East Lindfield.
September 24
Will friendly, polite service come to Sydney with the successful Olympic bid? Will we at last be more than unwelcome interruptions when we shop/purchase rail tickets/enter a bus? Does it mean that people will smile when they serve us?
Let's hope the Sydney 2000 Olympic Committee makes good, old-fashioned manners and service fashionable again. Otherwise, unlike Melbourne's "Friendly Games" in 1956, we'll have Sydney's "Unfriendly Games" for 2000.
Joann Clark,
Parramatta.
September 24
After hearing the "big announcement" on the 6 o'clock radio news this morning, I walked outside, only to be met by a large flock of screeching galahs, rejoicing in full voice.
George D'Aran,
Nelson Bay.
September 24
© 1993 Sydney Morning Herald
