Gosper backs E. Timor's inclusion in Olympics
Gosper backs E. Timor's inclusion in Olympics
SYDNEY (AP): International Olympic Committee vice president Kevan Gosper is backing the latest bid to have East Timor included in the Sept. 15-Oct. 1 Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Gosper, Australia's most senior Olympic official, said he was in contact with all the leading authorities concerned.
At its executive board meeting in Lausanne last month, the IOC rejected the former Indonesian province's request to be involved in Sydney.
East Timor, which voted for independence last year and is under United Nations administration, is virtually independent but does not fulfill the criteria for Olympic recognition.
The Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio reported Thursday that the IOC, with the help of the Australian Government, was seeking clearance from the U.N. to ensure East Timor met the guidelines for participation.
Only three athletes - in boxing, weightlifting and athletics - were identified as eligible to compete at the Games and the Australian Olympic Committee was prepared to provide athletes with financial aid, the ABC reported.
"We would keep in touch with Indonesia to make sure they were comfortable with this, after all, the athletes we've identified may well have recently represented Indonesia," Gosper said.
Gosper said the proposal had full support from Portugal, former colonial governors of the territory, and other nations around the world.
"The whole thing is to make sure all the players are involved and everybody's traveling in the right direction," he said.
At the executive board meeting, IOC director general Francois Carrard said the IOC recognized National Olympic Committees from independent countries and states, but did not recognize East Timor.
IOC regulations require a country to be a fully independent state with at least five sports federations operating in its territory.
Campaign
Just say G'day. It's a typically Australian greeting which will become the cornerstone of the "Welcome the World" campaign, a Sydney 2000 Olympics program launched Thursday by New South Wales state premier Bob Carr.
Carr, whose government is bankrolling the Sydney 2000 organizing committee, said the Welcome the World campaign was aimed at taking Games-time festivities to the streets to galvanize Sydney as the world's friendliest and most culturally diverse host city.
Sydney has been preparing for the Games for seven years but, with 134 days until the Sept. 15 opening ceremony, the focus of attention is moving from preparations to parties.
Sydney Lord Mayor Frank Sartor said apart from the live entertainment centers and extended trading hours, the 10-part program was about ensuring Sydneysiders were on their best behavior for international visitors.
Service industry employees ranging from fast-food caterers to airport staff, even bus and taxi drivers, were being urged to put on a smiling face, said Sartor.
SOCOG general manager Glen-Marie Frost outlined a series of initiatives on offer to ensure service staff were properly trained to cope with the added demands of their work before and after the Games.
But she said the basic ingredient for success was simple.
"These games are uniquely Australia's Games, and what better way to convey a warm greeting than saying G'day," said Frost.
More than 8 million people were expected to flood into central Sydney to join the Olympic party in the 21 days from Sept. 13- Oct. 3, Welcome the World organizers predicted.
Australian Tourist Commission managing director John Morse said Australia's status as the world's dream holiday destination was based on its reputation for friendliness.
"International visitors expect Australians to be friendly and helpful - and that includes everyone from waiters and shop assistants to ticket sellers, taxi drivers and, of course, the person on the street," he said.
"If Australians be themselves and give our visitors a genuine welcome we'll more than meet their expectations."