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Scandals surrounding the Sydney Olympic Games have tarnished the event in the eyes of some Australians. Yet, as Professor John Rickard points out, Melbourne faced similar controversies in the lead-up to 1956, which became known as the 'friendly Games'. "The 2000 Olympics will be the greatest peacetime event in Australia's history." These are the words of Rod McGeogh, who was chief executive officer of the company which organised the Sydney bid for the Games. Admittedly, he was writing in 1994, before the Phil Coles saga, before the marching bands fiasco, before the premium tickets scandal. But, of course, the publicity attracted by these controversies is a measure of the importance of the Olympic Games as an international event, an event which, in its origins in the late 19th century, might be seen as an early form of globalisation. The Games can also be seen as a recognition of the city in modern culture. It is cities that bid for the Games, not nations.
Melbourne 1956 makes an interesting comparison. Graeme Davison has pointed out that while in Benedict Anderson's phrase we might see the nation as "an imagined community", there is an important sense in which nations define themselves in relation to an imagined audience. In 1956, Melbourne was very conscious of presenting to the world an attractive image of 'the Australian way of life', a phrase which had recently come into vogue. The focus of this 'way of life' was not the bush mythology of old, but the suburban reality of modern Australia. So the residents of Heidelberg worked hard to provide a welcoming environment to the athletes in the Olympic village, while an official barbecue, a demonstration match of Australian Rules football and a 'Meet the Australians' campaign were organised. Although Melbourne had already experienced its first wave of postwar European immigrants, they played little part in the Australian image promoted. We were reminded of their presence, however, when the Cold War cast its shadow on the Games. It was alarming that only weeks before the official opening Britain and France invaded the Suez Canal, and Soviet Union troops marched into Hungary. Although anti-Communism was a potent force in 1950s Australia, Games organisers and the press were determined that the sanctity of the Games as an oasis of international goodwill be protected, and immigrant communities were reprimanded when they threatened anti-Russian demonstrations. It was a considered a measure of Australia's success in this regard that the 1956 Olympics became known as 'the friendly Games'. The Cold War has gone away, though the threat of terrorism remains a cause for uneasiness. But what is the image of Australia that will be revealed to the world in 2000? One possible 'agenda' was disposed of in the recent referendum. When a republic began to look like a possibility, the conjunction of the Games, the new millennium and the centenary of Federation suggested a tempting scenario. Would this not provide the perfect moment to define Australia to the world by taking the final, symbolic step towards nationhood? But if that scenario has been thrown onto the scrap heap, Prime Minister Howard's decision to forego opening the Games himself indicates that the issue lives on. The Governor-General will be playing the part of the head of state of an independent nation, even if he remains the Queen's representative. But the mystery of Australia's constitutional arrangements is hardly likely to be a high priority for those who plan opening ceremonies and the like. The official Games web site has plenty of information about Sydney, but relatively little about Australia, except of a tourist nature. A visitor to the website would be hard put to learn anything about our system of government. It is worth recalling that the planning of the Melbourne Games had also involved much argument and controversy. But the trauma of preparation was obliterated by the Games themselves, and especially by the memorable closing ceremony. Profoundly moving This 'ceremony of comradeship', in which national groupings were dissolved in 'a hotchpotch of sheer humanity', was the idea of a Chinese Australian boy, John Ian Wing. It took on a particular significance in the context of the tensions of the Cold War and was, for those who were there, a profoundly moving experience. Will the Sydney Games surprise us with some such epiphany? Or should we reconcile ourselves to the glitz and hype of a media event? In any case, we know who will have the best seats. Professor John Rickard is honorary professorial fellow in the Department of History and National Key Centre for Australian Studies at Monash University.
For most of us, preparing for the Sydney Olympic Games means nothing more than queuing at the nearest post office each month to purchase the latest Sydney 2000 collector pin. But for the athletes involved, each day is a carefully planned regime of training schedules, nutrition programs and mental endurance techniques -- all to ensure that when they compete in front of the world in September they will be at their peak.
Anna, a Monash science/law graduate, recalls that she became seriously interested in cycling after taking part in the 1990 Great Victorian Bike Ride. "I entered the bike ride with a few friends from Monash just for fun. Before I knew it I was hooked," she said. Anna has since competed successfully in the 1998 Commonwealth Games, and last year came first overall in the World Cup Series. While Sydney 2000 will not be her first Olympics, she says she has never felt as prepared and excited about a competition. "I am extremely lucky to be able to compete at the Olympics in my own country at a time when I'm at the peak of my fitness and experiencing such success," she said. "I am extremely lucky to be able to compete at the Olympics in my own country."
"January was a really intense training month leading up to the nationals, where I ran a personal best in the 200 metres. I'm feeling good both physically and mentally, so I hope this augurs well," Lauren said. Other Monash students and graduates eyeing Olympic spots include marathon runner Lisa Dick, sprinter David Baxter, long distance runner Chris Bowden, diver Dean Pullar, waterpolo player Edward Denis and swimmer Edward Roche.
- Corey Nassau
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