SYDNEY — Sydney Games organisers threw another 700 bus drivers into the fray on Saturday in a bid to overcome a growing list of transport concerns.
John Coates, the Australian Olympic Committee president and a member of the Games organisers (Sydney 2000) board, said the latest ‘teething problem’ was drivers being unable to find their way to the taekwondo training venue. ‘It was reported (at Saturday morning’s meeting of national team chiefs) that there were still some problems with athletes getting to taekwondo yesterday,’ Coates told a news conference on Saturday, six days before the opening ceremony.

‘I think some of the problems have been some signs have been taken down by the people of Sydney. In some cases, maybe, the sign is too pretty. For the taekwondo, because we’ve had a few repeated problems there, they’re now dedicating some drivers just to that route. Seven hundred more drivers come on today, so that will be of help.’

Coates said yachting competitors had complained there were not enough buses to take them to Homebush Wharf for training sessions, and this was being addressed.

On Thursday, Sydney 2000 director-general David Richmond announced a series of changes that he hoped would save Sydney from the transport problems that plagued Atlanta Games officials in 1996. They include an additional 20 administrative staff to oversee the bus network.

Coates said on Thursday the transport system was showing worrying signs of being unable to cope with several embarrassing bungles. A single line rail system to the main Olympic site at Homebush Bay collapsed on Tuesday when overhead wires were blown down by strong winds. Athletes and international media have complained buses are either late or fail to show up.

Greg Buckle

Source: SOCOG