Delroy ChuckAT THE Sydney Olympics 2000, the Aussies are putting on a great show. This is truly the millennium Olympics and the Aussies have made it an Olympics to remember. Once every four years, a country hosts the Olympics games where the best athletes parade their skills, where long held dreams become reality and, sometimes, nightmares and where the world unites and competes in a grand display of humanity at its finest level. So far, the 27th Olympics in Sydney, Australia, has achieved and, probably, surpassed all expectations.
What is seen on television in Jamaica, and across the world, is merely a glimpse of the excellent co-ordination, detailed organisation and professional execution of administrative and managerial tasks. It is breathtaking to imagine the enormous amount of planning and preparation to satisfy more than 10,000 athletes, thousands of officials and hundreds of thousands of visitors who have descended on the city. Yet, Sydney is putting on a wonderful show and the city deserves top grades.
It is true Jamaica is not doing as well as expected but Tayna Lawrence's bronze, our first medal, cheered Jamaicans in Sydney and at home. The tragicomedy with Merlene Ottey is hardly news in Sydney and very few Aussies have even heard of the dispute. I have actually not seen or heard any mention of it in the newspapers or on television. The main athletic news was the departure of the French girl, Marie Jose Perec, who was the main challenge to the Australian heroine, Cathy Freeman. Freeman's success in winning the gold medal brought much joy and glory to the Australian people, even while her aboriginal origin and heritage are forgotten.
The Aussies have tasted success in many events. In Aquatics, they challenged the Americans for superiority and gained many medals, but in the end the Americans triumphed with record-breaking performances in several events. The Aussies achieved unexpected success in cycling, beach volleyball, rowing and other events, as the home crowd cheered and supported their local heroes. In fact, this is indeed the Aussies Olympics as to date they are achieving their greatest successes, but most notably in their planning and hosting of the games.
For the past week, here in Sydney, I have experienced the benefits and exhilaration of detailed planning and attention to minor details as the organisers plan, execute and complete events with precision. Everything moves so smoothly and meticulously that one cannot help but being impressed. Each day, approximately 500,000 spectators move in and out of the Olympic Park using mainly buses and trains; those who use cars have to walk long distances in fact, there are no car parks nearby. Volunteers direct the massive crowds to their many destinations with care, firm commands and helpful suggestions.
The organisers have benefited enormously from the invaluable and inestimable input of tens of thousands of volunteers; I understand that the overall number of volunteers is close to 48,000 which is simply astonishing. These volunteers work in the train stations, as security checks for everyone entering the Olympic Park, as guides, as ticket collectors, as officials and otherwise doing myriad tasks that would cost millions of dollars.
What we actually see on TV is mainly the athletes competing, and little or nothing is shown of what happens in and around the stadium. Yet, the Olympic Park is quite impressive and well organised. The Olympic Stadium in which most of the track and field events are held is simply awesome. The Baseball Stadium, the Aquatic Centre, The Tennis Centre, the Hockey Stadium, the Sydney Superdome, etc., are all in close proximity and the roar of the crowd in one stadium can easily be heard in others, and around the Park. In spite of the vast crowds, there is hardly any delay or long lines, as the movements in, around and out are quick, orderly and smooth.
The Aussies are warm and friendly people. They may be so by nature but it is more likely the Sydney Olympics has brought out their best behaviour and warmest personality. Everywhere, the people are helpful, charming and willing to go out of their way to make visitors feel at home and welcomed. Travelling around the city, for Olympic ticket holders, is free and families of athletes are hosted free in volunteers' homes. Truly, this will be an Olympics to remember and probably the best.
During my short visit, I am particularly keen to assess how the Australian economy is doing and how well services are provided. Their dollar has been devaluing, but in the papers financial analysts are keen to note the benefits to exporters, tourism-related products and services and to local manufacturing. Their economists are not particularly perturbed as the economy is expanding, inflation is low, unemployment is declining and investment, especially in telecommunications, is growing in leaps and bounds. Indeed, the telecommunication industry is growing so fast that telephone calls for an unlimited time, within Australia, at nights, are being advertised for less than 50 Jamaican dollars, and my overseas calls were unusually reasonable.
Then, the people of Australia get quality services for their taxes. I was rather impressed with the local council services in the town of Campbelltown, just south of Sydney, where, for example, each household is provided with three garbage bins for garden debris, recyclable cans and plastics and for normal garbage waste. To be sure, Australians have many familiar problems. While we were here, two prisoners escaped and have not yet been recaptured. Visitors are warned of pickpockets, drug pushers and petty criminals. Drug use, addiction and trade are major concerns. There are homeless people on the streets, musicians and singers performing for food, and much evidence of vandalism of public facilities.
Still, Australia is a wonderful place with happy, delightful and peaceful people. They are going the extra mile for the Sydney Olympics 2000, as they want the rest of the world to know that Australia can be the best.
It is a country with enormous potential and possibilities that is growing and making life better for its people. It is the size of America with only 19 million people but increasing. It is difficult not to make comparisons with Jamaica, as I truly want Jamaica to recover, succeed and aspire for excellence and prosperity, but in my heart I know we have a far way to go.
Delroy Chuck is an attorney-at-law and Opposition Member of Parliament. He can be contacted by e-mail at delchuck@hotmail.com.
