Games Sites Exclusion Zones
4 October 1997In a reversal of an earlier intention to provide free access to the venues during the 2000 games, SOCOG yesterday announced that the two main sites, Homebush Bay and Darling Harbour, will be fenced to exclude non-ticket holders during the games. The move is believed to be the result of presssure from the Olympic Security Organisation, to restrict the number of people with access to the games sites. The moves raise the possiblity that extra cash can be generated by selling 'precinct tickets' to allow access to the Homebush plaza for visitors who missed out on tickets to the events.
In other games news, Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett has announced that the 2000 games will not start in Melbourne after all. It had been planned that among the first competitions of the Olympics would be soccer qualifiers to be played at a number of non-Sydney venues, including a new stadium to be built in Melbourne. Melbourne will not now be hosting soccer qualifiers. Kennett cited a disagreement with SOCOG over who would be liable should the venues not be ready in time.
Report by Ian Kemp, Cool Running Australia.
