NOTES

Water temperature in Sydney Harbor for the triathlon competitions this weekend is not expected to rise above the low 60s, which, according to Hunter Kemper of the U.S. also presents a problem for the next phase of the competition, cycling.

” . . . It makes it hard, when you go from the water to the bikes, to get your feet into your shoes because you can’t feel them,” he said.

Officials will allow the competitors to wear wet suits to combat the chilly temperature, but that, according to Nick Radkewich of the U.S., could lead to another problem.

“I hadn’t really thought about the sharks, and I guess I will be more concerned about the other 51 competitors,” he said. “But with the wet suits on, we do look a bit like seals. If one of those sharks does get a bit hungry, it just may be tempted to take a small bite.”

For the record, there hasn’t been a fatal shark attack in Sydney Harbor since 1963.

*

Transportation problems for athletes, media and even IOC officials have continued from Atlanta four years ago. But here’s a new one: Bus drivers brought in from other parts of the country complain they are having difficulty getting transportation back to their dormitory after finishing work.

Actually, transportation problems didn’t begin with Atlanta in 1996.

“The Australians, J.P. Metcalfe and B. Dickinson, did not arrive in time to compete in the eliminating trials for the running broad jump to-day, although they left by motor bus in time to arrive at the Stadium when required.”

That was a report from one Sydney newspaper on Aug. 4, 1936, from the Berlin Olympics.