Olympic and other "Gotchas"

So everything is affected by the Olympics.  Some things are affected worse than others.  Companies near the Olympic complex can't have deliveries except between 11pm and 4am (yep, that's what's called the "wee" hours of the morning).  Here are some more - 

RTA

The RTA (Road Traffic Authority) isn't even going to try and cope. 13 of 45 Sydney RTA offices will be closed 11 September - 2 October inclusive.   Yup, just locking the doors !  Not a problem you say ?  Just try and renew your license or get number plates for your car then !!!

Which card ?

Hope you have a VISA card if you intend to attend anything on an Olympic site and want to buy anything.  NO other cards will be accepted !.  Oh, guess cash may be ! :))  So much of a problem that Westpac, an Australian Bank and major sponsor of the games can't put their own ATM machines (bank in the wall) anywhere on the Olympic sites.  See, Westpac not only has VISA card but MasterCard as well, and if their ATMs were installed, then they would have to allow MasterCards to be used.  No way, since VISA is a major INTERNATIONAL sponsor and takes precedence.  So don't leave home without your VISA card !

Crowds & Dates

Some people just don't realise how crowded the city and surrounds are going to be, and how it might affect their own travel to and from work.  Here is a list compiled by one major company.

Traffic Routes & Zones

If your travelling on the roads or trying to make deliveries like one company, you may want to consider the following -

1. Olympic Primary Routes. These are major links to Homebush and other Olympic Venues.  If you live on one or use these routes you will notice Olympic Events signage is being erected.  For at least this company, they have examined deliveries for the last 3 months and interesting can't identify a single delivery address that is likely to be impacted by these routes.  (But can the same be said for YOUR company !)  However, if you are likely to have a delivery to an address on one of these routes, be ware !  They have a 5am to midnight clearway restriction (no parking, standing or even stopping !) during the Olympics period.  Olympic Community Help line on 1-800 182-818 (Australian 1-800 !) or www.orta.nsw.gov.au
2. Olympic Spectator Routes.  These are the routes to be taken by buses that service the various Olympic venues.  They have the same 5am to midnight clearway restriction and will have the same Olympic Event signage.
3. Venue Security Zones.  These are the very close areas surrounding Olympic Venues.  If you are living in one of these zones the RTA (Roads & Traffic Authority) will be providing notification to you as part of the Neighbourhood Parking Scheme.  Whilst residents will be provided passes for access, deliveries to these zones will NOT be able to be made !

Restaurant and Taxi fees UP !

Daily Telegraph (a Sydney daily) reported that many restaurants will start charging from $50 to $80 if you book a restaurant and don't turn up !  (That will be hard to do since while they can take your card details over the phone they will have no signature and you can dispute the charge !)

Buried in the article was mention of many restaurants increasing their charges during the Olympics.  (Bet you they never bring them back down !)  And Taxies (Cabs) will be able to charge as much as $5.00 more on flag fall during the Olympics.

On the good side, the government has made it official - NO SMOKING in restaurants (except outside tables) !  Now that SHOULD stay after the Olympics !

Canberra venue gets "yellow card"

Canberra's only event will be a series of soccer matches.  And even those may be in jeopardy because the grounds people chose to put tropical grass in a temperate climate area and the poor field conditions may lead to player injury. (Read law suites if someone is injured !)

Spies not so secret !

Somebody in a fast motorboat was seen taking more than the tourist number photos of some of the Olympic sailing competitors.  Is all fair in love and Olympics ?

Roads Closed

Not only are private cars forbidden in Olympic venues and for anyplace near around, roads are simply going to be closed.  Here is the list supplied to employees of a major company.

IOC prevents Internet broadcasts, etc.

The IOC again finds itself slow off the mark.  While other people are scrambling to broadcast on the internet, because it can't figure out how to control of it's lucrative (and expensive) broadcast rights on the internet, it's a "no go" at least until after the Sydney 2000 Olympics.  Click here for more on this "gotcha".

Others

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Page created - 15 August, 2000.  Page last updated - 14 August, 2006 15:08:52 +1000