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."