2000 Things To Do

It's not too early to catch the spirit of Sydney 2000. There are fun ways to get in the sportive mood before the 27th Olympiad takes the stage in Stadium Australia on Sept. 15, 2000. The new 110,000-seat coliseum in Homebush Bay will open on Feb. 21 with a "Great Stadium Walk" program of tours and festivities. The main venue for the Games (it will host track-and-field events in addition to the opening and closing ceremonies) will see plenty of action before some 10,000 athletes from 200 countries descend on the city. The kickoff match for the National Rugby League season takes place on March 6, followed by a BeeGees concert March 27. Call 612-9441-8900 for inquiries about non-Olympic events at the stadium, and 612-9266-4000 to book tickets. The half-hour ferry ride to the Olympic Park site in Homebush Bay departs on the hour from Wharf 5, Circular Quay, and a tour costs $7 (to book ahead, call 612-9735-4800). While mail-order reservations for the 8.5-million Games tickets (to be awarded by lottery) won't begin until this summer, organizers are selling early-bird packages for $1,900 that guarantee you a seat at either the opening or closing ceremony (your choice) plus admission to half the events. For more info, call the Games' ticket hotline at 612-9297-2271. Hotels are filling fast, so you may want to consider staying with a local host family instead (call 612-9262-3700 to arrange). Ansett, the official airline of Sydney 2000, is offering special deals for overseas visitors; ask your travel agent, or check out www.ansett.com. Sydney 2000 organizers are also sending their Olympian spirit abroad via "Reaching the World," an arts festival that will send Australian performers and artworks overseas from June 23 to Oct. 29. Watch your local media listings for news of an appearance of the wizards from Oz, or call 612-9297-2004 for the schedule. For all other inquiries about the Games, such as how to become a volunteer or where to see the Olympic Torch on its epic 27,000-km journey (the longest such relay in history), call 612-9297-2000 or pay a visit to the official website at www.sydney.olympic.org.