By Neena Bhandari
Sydney, 01.09.2000 (The Pioneer Column): On the millennium eve, watching the `river of flame’ from across the Westminster Bridge in the slush and rain, we had thought the spectacular show of fireworks in Sydney had really given London a run for its money.
Months later as I write this basking under the bright Sydney skies overlooking the blue waters, the city is all dolled up to host the greatest sporting festival in the world, rolling out expensive red carpets and chilling champagne for its multitude of guests pouring in each day.
Hearts of past greats and future heroes burn with pride as they carry the Olympic Games torch, for most only once in their lifetime, through villages and cities of this vast continent country.
It is the green spaces, crisp air, stunning modern architecture and vibrant and diverse cultures, which makes Sydney a city of the future unlike New Delhi or London. In their quest to present Sydney’s most beautiful and compassionate face to the world, the authorities are persuading the homeless to move out of the city. Smoking is now banned in restaurants, cafes, shopping centres and at casino gaming tables.
The clocks have been moved ahead for daylight saving two months earlier than usual to allow more sunshine for the Olympics. One can already feel spring in the air with wattles, daffodils, magnolias and azaleas in bloom. The Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha), the national floral emblem, features on the gold, silver and bronze medals.
With just two weeks to go for the Olympics, the city on the shores is drowning in the arts. There are 4000 performers and artists playing and showing in more than 50 major productions and exhibitions across 40 venues. One doesn’t miss days of trawling galleries and museums, going to matinee theatre and films or hours of shopping at Oxford Street in London. Sydney has its own Oxford Street and the famous Sydney Opera House.
Keeping in tune with the mood gripping the entire country, the Bradman Museum in Bowral opened with nothing but accolades for a man considered by many as the greatest Australian. While Sir Donald Bradman, who has retired from public life was absent, his son, John and grandson, Tom, with other family members were all there. An exhibition `A perfect 10: Sporting Greats of the 20th century’ opened featuring Sir Bradman, Carl Lewis, Dawn Fraser, Muhammad Ali, Rod Laver, Jack Nicklaus, Pele, Nadia Comaneci, Michael Jordan and John Eales.
The list of invitations for politicians, celebrities and the captains of industry for different events is so long that many hosts are finding it difficult to get people who aren’t already going to events. Companies are spending anywhere between A$500 to A$ 2,500 per head to impress, influence and woo their guests. Hotels and restaurants are bracing up for brisk business.
While airfares by the four major operators, Qantas, Ansett, Impulse and Virgin Blue have been slashed, some cutting prices by 60 per cent or more for flights to Asia, the UK, Europe and North America during the Olympic period, local taxi fares will become dearer by 10 per cent from September 13 to October 4. The new bus lanes look like a cross between an athletics track and a slice of central Australian sand dune. Heavy fines of up to A$ 348 are being imposed on drivers parking illegally in Olympic-designated zones.
Meanwhile, security at Sydney’s Lucas Heights nuclear reactor has been tightened following reports from the New Zealand police that a terrorist group was plotting to attack it during the Games.
The Olympic village has been enclosed with a dual fence equipped with motion detectors. Daily bomb sweeps, which started two weeks ago, will continue until the closing ceremony. All visitors to Olympic venues will be screened through a metal detector, hand held wands, their bags will be searched physically or through an X-ray machine, once inside the Big Brother will be watching via a vast array of cameras. The Olympic security laws, which come into effect this week, extend some police powers to city rangers and other authorised people allowing them to issue on-the-spot fines, search people and confiscate advertising. Activists describe these laws as so excessive that they will leave a `bitter Olympic legacy’.
Amidst all the fanfare, Australia has come under fire for the government’s decision to reduce its UN treaty commitments, hike in petrol prices, contaminated water, fears of the airports and the railways unable to cope and protest from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. Also, the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) is facing a serious shortfall if it doesn’t raise A$ 108 million from ticket sales until the Games end.
As the world sets its eyes on Sydney, there is nothing to deter a friendly, contented and should I say happy Sydneysider from playing the warm host. There is nothing to dim the city lights.
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