Aussies Sorry About Sour Note

* I feel sorry for the students of Irvine High School. They are upset about being dropped from performing at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney (July 1). Apparently they have been saving and fund-raising since last year.

Australians only found out that “foreign” marching bands were to be used less than a week ago!

While we appreciate that American high school marching bands are of high quality, and while they may have put in a lot of effort to come over here to Australia to participate in the activities, I am sure that all Americans would understand how Australians are upset not to have our own countrymen doing the entertaining at our own Games.

It would be like letting Australians provide the entertainment at the Atlanta Games, right?

I apologize to Irvine High School for the “snub,” but we, the general public, only just found out. Had we known earlier, we would have stopped any suggestions before anyone was put out.

MICHAEL SCOTTS

McCrae, Australia

* I myself am sorry that it has come to this. But to be honest, if it were a decision between Australian and American bands participating in the opening ceremony of the 2000 Olympics, I would rather see the children of Australia set foot on the stadium on this momentous occasion.

As much as that sounds selfish and patriotic, it is the want of all Australians to see their sons and daughters, brothers and sisters and grandchildren to play for the rest of the world for the first Games in the new millennium.

Could you imagine the outcry of your own populace if Australians led the charge at Atlanta or Los Angeles? I feel very badly for the kids of Orange County and am sorry it had come to this.

There are current negotiations between Olympics officials and the organizers of the American bands at this moment so all is not lost.

DAVID TSIREKAS

Homebush Bay, Australia