Sydney Marathon 2001 ?
12th October 2000The flags have been lowered, the crush barriers removed, the lane restrictions lifted and, on the bridge, 150 tonnes of Olympic rings are being dismantled. But the thin blue line? It stays. Official. "This one will run and run," a senior SOCOG executive insisted yesterday. Since the last race of the Sydney Olympics 10 days ago, there has been mounting speculation over the future of their most visible and, because it stretches 42.2 kilometres, most-visited venue. Yes, official venue.
Among suggestions: It would be scraped off, because it was a hazard. It would be allowed to wear away, because removal was too expensive. Sections would be displayed in the Museum of Contemporary Art. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Outgoing SOCOG officials are confident that whatever the future of other potential white elephants, the blue snake will continue to be used for many years. And it was always going to be needed on Sunday, October 29, the last day of the Paralympics, for the men's and women's wheelchair marathon. Beyond that, discussions have begun over staging an annual Sydney marathon over the course.
"Obviously, that would be the big attraction," said Mr Bob Elphinston, SOCOG's general manager for sport, who believes it could become part of the world circuit of prestigious marathons such as those run in London, Berlin, Rotterdam and Tokyo. Previous attempts to stage a regular Sydney marathon have proved disappointing. But Mr Elphinston believes the success of the Olympic race and of the April test run, the host city marathon, suggest there is now widespread support for an annual event that would attract elite athletes and recreational runners. "I think we've proved that a big race like this need not throttle the city and can be staged with limited inconvenience." Talks are expected to begin soon with the State Government, Sydney City Council, local communities, sponsors and Athletics Australia, which has the naming rights to a Sydney marathon.
Mr Elphinston, who joins the Australian Olympic Committee in December as director of international relations, hopes the date and entry details can be finalised before the end of the year. Since being laid in August, the line has been a big hit with Sydneysiders. It has been adopted by advertisers, re-routed into a Kensington pub, and diverted temporarily into a North Sydney school.
While its future seems secure, Olympic organisers are still sorting out who will be responsible for maintaining the line, which is already showing signs of wear. It was commissioned by the Olympic Co-ordination Authority, but laid down by RTA contractors. "It's an unusual one," agrees Mr Paul Willoughby, spokesman for the Olympic Roads and Transport Authority.
