OLY: Bondi volleyball opponents to take game to streets

AAP General News (Australia)
08-07-1999
OLY: Bondi volleyball opponents to take game to streets

SYDNEY, Aug 7 AAP - Angry residents of Sydney's Bondi beach plan to play volleyball on the
Sydney Harbour Bridge in protest at the building of a stadium for the Olympic beach
volleyball.

The Sun-Herald said the Bondi Olympic Watch group was planning the action of "civil
disobedience" as part of its campaign for Volleyball At Inappropriate Places (VAIP).

The group is trying to force relocation of the $16 million temporary Olympic volleyball
stadium from Bondi Beach.

It plans to stage more disruptive games on the steps of the Opera House and outside the NSW
parliament.

Olympic Watch spokesman Kevin St Alder said the events would highlight the stupidity of
holding Games event at one of Australia's top tourist attractions.

"If bungee jumping became an Olympic sport would we consider using the Harbour Bridge? Or
if rock climbing became an Olympic sport would we consider Uluru as a suitable venue?" he was
reported as saying.

Stadium opponents have already threatened to chain themselves to bulldozers and fences to
stop construction of the arena that Waverley Council has approved.

Olympic Minister Michael Knight has rejected calls from the stadium to be moved, The
Sun-Herald said.

AAP jacc/was

KEYWORD: OLY VOLLEYBALL

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