SEA Games Tid Bits<\/p>\n
London blitz<\/p>\n
CHIANG MAI, Thailand (AFP): The main venue for the games is a
\nbrand new sports complex just outside this northern Thai city
\nthat has been getting rave reviews from athletes and the press.<\/p>\n
But lately it has begun to look a little like London during
\nthe blitz, with more than a dozen balloons floating overhead.<\/p>\n
The balloons -- some round, some shaped like tiny blimps --
\nbear the names and colors of the games' main sponsors.<\/p>\n
But the \"barrage balloons\" haven't deterred the SEA Games Air
\nForce from routinely buzzing the sports complex.<\/p>\n
Two large hot air balloons and a big, engine-driven dirigible
\n-- all of which also carrying the names of big sponsors --
\nroutinely fly low over the venue, particularly when there are
\nmajor events at the main stadium.<\/p>\n
Diarrhea-scapegoat ?<\/p>\n
Indonesia's national team, which has dominated eight of the
\nlast nine SEA Games but currently has fewer than half as many as
\nthe host Thais, has complained that many of its athletes have
\ncome down with diarrhea.<\/p>\n
The reason, they say, is because the Thai food they have been
\nserved is too spicy and too greasy.<\/p>\n
The games' Organizing Committee has taken note and has
\npromised, in writing, that the Indonesian athletes and coaches
\nwill be provided with food that is less spicy and greasy and more
\nlike the Moslem fare they are used to eating.<\/p>\n
Trouble<\/p>\n
Six days into the games, the international press corps
\ncovering the 10-nation sporting contest seems to be having
\ntrouble hanging on to things.<\/p>\n
Notices on the door of the main work room at the press center
\nplead for the return of two wallets.<\/p>\n
A Thai photographer would like to have his 300mm lens back.
\nOne reporter lost his expensive sunglasses.<\/p>\n
Another misplaced a printer card, and someone else lost his
\ncomputer's voltage adaptor.<\/p>\n
Lost the battle<\/p>\n
The press corps also has lost its battle for greater access to
\nthe athletes and to the venues.<\/p>\n
Last Sunday, for example, games officials were stunned when a
\nhorde of reporters and photographers covering the first athletics
\nevents descended onto the field of the main stadium, roamed the
\nsidelines at will and ambushed athletes immediately after they
\nwon their events.<\/p>\n
Officials pointed out that a special section in the stands had
\nbeen reserved for the press. Reporters pointed out that the press
\nsection was completely filled with spectators.
\nThe officials demurred.<\/p>\n
On Monday, however, iron gates blocked all entrances to the
\nfield except the one used by the competitors, and it was heavily
\npatrolled.<\/p>\n
So reporters and photographers took over the special box
\nreserved for officials.<\/p>\n
Actual interviews with most athletes were denied, and a few
\nselect winners were produced later via \"teleconferencing.\"<\/p>\n
On Thursday, members of the press were denied entrance to the
\nstadium via the main gate.<\/p>\n
\"Too many people using this entrance,\" one official solemnly
\nexplained.<\/p>\n
The gate reporters were allowed to use led to the press
\nsection of the stands, which had been roped off.<\/p>\n
On Friday, however, the ropes were down and the press seats
\nwere again filled with spectators, and reporters were forced to
\ncover the events off television.<\/p>",
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