Sydney 2000 Shooting Newsletter
May 1999.

Courtesy of Alan Maher, Competition Manager-Shooting SOCOG

Welcome to SOCOG Shooting Program Update No 6.

Since our last update, SOCOG's shooting staff has continued planning for the success of Sydney 2000 Olympic and October Paralympic Games, with the main focus currently on the March ISSF World Cup which will duplicate the Games program. We have had a successful visit by Technical Delegates from the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), and the International Shooting Committee for the Disabled (ISCD).

watched with great interest the development of Sydney International Shooting Centre;

been encouraged by the initial response to our call for shooting specific volunteers;

been visited by Sius Ascor and Ennio Mattarelli during planning for the installation of the electronic and clay target systems;

attended more meetings than one could imagine and been well satisfied with the level of planning that the functional areas of SOCOG and SPOC are undertaking to ensure the success of the respective Games.

ISSF & ISCD TECHNICAL DELEGATE VISIT

In February, ISSF Technical Delegates, Gary Anderson (USA) and Jesús Elizondo (Mexico), together with ISCD Technical Delegate, Dave Baskin (USA), participated in a joint ISSF & ISCD inspection of Sydney International Shooting Centre. The Technical Delegates reported "tremendous satisfaction with the preparations that were made for their visit and with the excellent progress that SOCOG and SPOC has made in preparing for an outstanding Olympic and Paralympic Games". The technical inspections did not identify any areas of concern highlighting instead the degree of planning undertaken by SOCOG and OCA during the initial design process for SISC.

SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL SHOOTING CENTRE

Visitors to the Sydney International Shooting Centre (SISC) are unanimous in their opinion that the design of SISC is a credit to all concerned and a magnificent legacy for shooting. The Sius Ascor electronic target/scoring system for pistol, rifle, running target, together with the Mattarelli clay target equipment is shortly to arrive in Australia. The installation of the target equipment which is a major and sophisticated operation will be done in close cooperation between OCA (Olympic Coordination Authority) and Swiss Timing.

Construction of the main building which is approximately 62% complete is progressing at a steady pace with the project expected to be finished according to schedule in mid 1999 well in time for the first major competition to be held at SISC - the Oceania Shooting Championships in November of this year.

ISSF WORLD CUP.

An estimated 800-900 of the world's best shooting athletes are expected to converge on Sydney in March 2000 for the ISSF World Cup (SOCOG Test Event), the largest ISSF competition ever held in Australia. The Opening Ceremony will be held at Sydney International Shooting Centre, Cecil Park on March 23, 2000 to which all are invited to attend.

We will keep you informed in following Updates on the progress of what promises to be an exciting competition.

What is a Test Event ??

Test events are nominated pre-Olympic events which will be used by SOCOG (The Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games), ORTA (Olympic Roads and Traffic Authority) and OSCC (Olympic Security Command Centre) to test the actual venue and elements of operational plans, facilities and systems in event mode. Being a non ticketed event spectators will be admitted to the ISSF World Cup free of charge with large numbers expected to attend.

VOLUNTEER - Update

Have you expressed your interest in being a shooting specific volunteer ?? If not, why not do so by contacting SOCOG's Shooting Administration Manager Gina DiLullo on [02] 92973765. Gina will arrange for you to receive an Expression of Interest form which would need to be completed and returned as soon as possible.

Be a part of the Sydney 2000 experience, become a Shooting Volunteer.

As we continue our progress towards 2000, and the identification of persons to assist with the organisation and operations of the ISSF World Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games, volunteer applicants will receive a Volunteer Newsletter to keep them abreast of what is happening and how this will impact upon each volunteer.

The newsletter will hopefully provide answers to the many and varied questions we are receiving from our Shooting Volunteers, such as , will we receive any assistance to obtain accommodation; is it possible that shooting people will billet volunteers; when will we be needed; what will our duties be; can we work as volunteers at each of the three events; do I need to have an ISSF A or B Grade Judges licence to be considered for a volunteers position; will we be able to work as a volunteer on each day of competition. These and other questions will be answered in upcoming Shooting Updates.

SHOOTING TICKETS

Tickets for all Olympic sporting events go on sale to the general public on May 30, 1999.

SHOOTING PINS

In addition to pins incorporating the Olympic mascot, shooting specific souvenir badges incorporating the Olympic Shooting logo are available from Olympic stores and leading retailers around Australia. To receive your official Olympic Store Catalogue containing official licensed merchandise of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, call 1300 30 2000.

SHOOTING STAFF

We are pleased to welcome Spencer Tweedie, Technical Operations Manager for Pistol who is well known in shooting circles. Spencer who joined the SOCOG Shooting team on May 3 has a wealth of experience which will prove to be very beneficial to the success of the Sydney 2000 Games, and ISSF World Cup.

As stated in our previous Update, we will provide a profile on the people in the SOCOG shooting team who assist the Competition Manager with the planning and preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic Games events.

In this issue, we introduce Michelle Fletcher, Technical Operations Manager for Rifle and Running Target.
Michelle commenced with SOCOG in August 1998.
Career Highlights: 1992-1995 State Administrator of Queensland Rifle Association. 1997 State Administrator Queensland Small Bore Rifle Association.
Memorable moments: Winning gold and silver in the Ladies fullbore matches in the 1997 Oceania Championships in Adelaide.
Hobbies: Shooting, reading, making bears, fishing and sewing
Likes: Having a quiet night with friends
Dislikes: Sydney traffic!!
Experiences: A competitive full bore target shooter for 17 years, Michelle has represented Queensland on many occasions in under 25 teams and ladies teams. This has given Michelle the experience of working in a team and being a team leader when required. Acting as QRA State Administrator has given Michelle the knowledge that contributed to her employment by SOCOG as a Technical Operations Manager. As part-time administrator of the Qld Small Bore Rifle Association, Michelle helped coordinate the Target Rifle Australia National Championships in April 1997 and the National Disabled Shooting Championships in October 1997. Michelle has also been involved with the coordination of AASAM, Australian Army Skills at Arms Meet, Australian Shooting Games and the Australia Cup.

IBM RESULTS SYSTEMS MANAGERS

IBM have recently embarked on a process to employ Results Systems Managers (RSM.s) in each sport. RSMs have been appointed based on their IT technology and sport knowledge. The role of the RSM is to oversee the end to end results process for their respective sport.

Examples of activities included in the results process are:
entering and maintaining the draw
delivery of schedules for competition
capturing and reporting on all statistics for the sport
Ensuring that results are delivered to all constituents

James Robinson has been employed by IBM as the RSM for shooting taking up position on 19 April 1999.We welcome James to the shooting team and look forward to working with him in his capacity, and to interpret all the computer language that is often difficult for "us" to understand!! Look out for his profile in an upcoming Update.

IBM AND SYDNEY 2000

As Worldwide Information Technology Partner and Official Internet Technologies and Solutions Provider, IBM will provide a range of information technology to SOCOG for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. This includes hardware, software, computer networking, systems integration and other information technology services.

The contract:
The IT outsourcing contract in place now, will allow SOCOG to focus on its core requirements to deliver the Olympic Games. In turn, it allows IBM to focus on its core competency of delivering end-to-end technology solutions in support of the Olympic Games. The partnership will draw on the skills and strengths of both organisations in the areas that they are most effective.

IBM will deliver four main systems for the Olympic Games:
Results System - will process and transfer the judges decisions to the scoreboards, broadcasters, the press and internet.
Information Delivery System - will provide live results information to broadcasters, the press and the Olympic family.
Internet - the official SOCOG internet site will provide worldwide information about the schedules, events, history and other relevant Games information. (Don't forget www.auspistol.com.au !)
Games Support Systems - includes an accreditation system for registration of the Olympic Family and other administrative systems to support SOCOG's operations.

The mission of the IBM Sydney Olympic Project is to help SOCOG deliver the most harmonious, athlete-orientated, technically excellent and culturally enhancing Olympic Games of the modern era.

The task:

28 sports, 42 disciplines

35 competition venues

24 non-competition venues

100 training venues

International Broadcast Centre

Main Press Centre

Hospitality facilities

The technology:

6,000 plus PC network

15,000 telephone lines

12,000 radios

200 video circuits

11,000 televisions

2 million metres of cabling

Deadline: Like all other functional areas working towards September 2000 IBM has an immovable deadline and the whole world will be watching.

VILLAGES

The Olympic Village on approximately 100 hectares is located at Newington, adjoining Sydney Olympic Park. The Village is planned to accommodate 10,200 competitors and 5,100 delegation officials at the time of the Olympic Games and to form a new residential community afterwards.

The NSW Government announced in December 1996 that the Mirvac Lend Lease Village Consortium (MLLVC) will finance, construct and market the major housing development proposed for the Olympic Village. During the Games the Village will contain 1,150 permanent dwellings and specially-designed modular houses. Many advanced environmental features have been incorporated into the design of the Village, including extensive use of solar power.

The Village will offer a secure environment in keeping with the needs and expectations of participating delegations. Dining facilities catering for a broad range of international cultures, tastes and nutritional requirements will be provided in the residential zone. Shopping, information and commercial services required by the residents will be provided. In addition, the Village will offer residents a wide range of leisure and recreation activities based on experiences from previous Games.

Transport to competition and training at nearby Sydney Olympic Park and other Olympic sites will be by bus from the Village. The Location of the Village will provide residents with convenient walking access for Sydney Olympic Park and for trips to Sydney's many attractions. The Olympic Village will open on 2 September 2000 and close 4 October 2000. It will then undergo a transition to accommodate 7,000 Paralympic Games athletes and officials from 11 October to 1 November 2000.

The MEDIA VILLAGE is situated in Sydney's west, Lidcombe is the proposed location for the Media Village. Located 15 minutes travel time to Sydney Olympic Park and 30 minutes to the Sydney Harbour Zone, it is planned that the Media Village will accommodate up to 6,000 accredited media representatives. The Media Village will provide services and accommodation from 5 September 2000 until 4 October 2000 in a mix of new, refurbished and modular buildings. The TECHNICAL OFFICIAL'S VILLAGE will also be located in Sydney's West accommodating up to 1,300 Technical Officials.

PARALYMPIC TICKETS

Tickets for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games will go on sale on 18 October 1999 and will be moderately priced. Three different types of tickets will be available. Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Day Pass - where you see several sports on one day, and Finals

The ticketing program will cover tickets for the Paralympic Games Opening and Closing ceremonies, competition and Arts Festival.

PARALYMPIC SHOOTING MASCOT

The Mascot for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games is Lizzie the frill-necked lizard. She was chosen to carry the Paralympic messages of performance, power and pride to both Australian and international audiences. Lizzie has come down from Kakadu, a wilderness area in the far north of Australia, to join Paralympians in spreading the word about the ability and achievements of those athletes with a disability. Lizzie has incredible strength, tenacity and energy. She strives for the same things Paralympians strive for - power, performance and pride. Lizzie was chosen as the symbol of the Paralympic Games athletes. Lizzie's frill is shaped as the map of Australia with its green and gold colours while her body is the ochre colour of the land.

PARALYMPIC FACTS

18 sports

125 countries

4000 athletes

2000 team officials

1300 media

1000 Technical officials

2500 IPC/NPCs/VIPs and guests

10000 volunteers

There are 18 sports on the competition program, 14 of which are also on the Olympic program. Unique to the Paralympic Games are boccia, goalboal, powerlifting and wheelchair rugby.

A Paralympic sports festival atmosphere will be created at Sydney Olympic Park, which is home to 14 of the 18 sports. Shooting with twelve events providing the first gold medal of the Games will be held at Sydney International Shooting Centre. Cycling, equestrian and sailing will be held at satellite venues within 30 minutes drive of Sydney Olympic Park.

The awarding of the Paralympic Games to Sydney confirms Australia's ability to stage events ranging in scale and diversity. The tourism and economic benefits flowing from the Paralympic Games will be considerable. The Paralympic Games is a catalyst to improve transport systems, accommodation and venues. The development of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games transport strategy will leave a legacy of accessible, useful and viable facilities for the entire community after the Paralympic Games.

Shooters must have a combination of upper and lower extremity impairments to be considered eligible to compete. Apart from the individual events, both males and females compete in the mixed events in their specific class, that is SH1 - Pistol and Rifle competitors who do not require a shooting stand, and SH2 - Rifle competitors who have measurable and /or visible permanent disability in upper limbs and therefore are unable to support the weight of a rifle with their upper limbs and require a shooting stand.

150 athletes from the 40 countries affiliated with the International Shooting Committee for the Disabled will participate in the Paralympic Games.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For further information on matters concerning Volunteers and the ISSF World Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games, contact SOCOG Shooting

SOCOG INFORMATION CENTRE

Enquiries regarding competition program, volunteer forms, Torch Relay etc, can be answered for the cost of a local telephone call.
For easy access to information about the Sydney 2000 Games, call 136 363.

Alan Maher, Competition Manager-Shooting