Sydney-based Indonesians to support RI athletes

JAKARTA (JP): The more than 28,000 Indonesians living in Sydney are ready to throw their weight behind Indonesian hopefuls at the Sydney Olympic Games.

"The residents, about 6,000 to 7,000 of which are students, will give their support, especially to our shuttlers who are expected to win gold medals," Sydney Indonesian consulate general information officer Andre Marentek was quoted by Antara news agency as saying on Monday.

"However, they can't all go to cheer the athletes directly at the venues due to expensive and sold-out tickets."

Badminton tickets were sold at A$40 (US$22.36) for preliminary rounds and up to A$75 for the finals.

Andre was interviewed after welcoming the last members of the Indonesian Olympic team to leave for the Games. They arrived in Sydney at 7:30 a.m. local time after an eight-hour flight.

The squad comprised 19 shuttlers, four swimmers, three divers, two judokas, two tennis players, two table tennis players and a taekwondoin. They were accompanied by 19 coaches and officials and led by head of the Olympic organizing committee Arie Sudewo.

There was no official welcoming ceremony. Officials of the Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) took the athletes directly to the athletes' village in Homebush Bay.

"All Indonesian athletes from the earlier batches are in good condition. There are no training problems. Everything is on schedule," Andre said.

The first batch departed on Sept. 1; the second last Tuesday.

The Indonesian contingent consists of 47 athletes and 39 coaches and officials.

This year, Indonesia has set a target of two gold medals in the men's singles and doubles badminton events. Indonesia won one gold, one silver and two bronze medals in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. (nvn)