BY BRUCE MANNERS
T DOESN'T SEEM possible that it's already been four years since
Sydney, Australia, hosted the 2000 Summer Olympics. But we survived two weeks
of the international spectacle known as the Olympic Games, then another two
weeks of the Paralympics, for those who compete with various forms of disabilities.
I have to admit that there were many moments when I felt proud to be an Australian.
(Those from other countries who wish to avoid excessive amounts of Aussie self-congratulation
may want to move directly to the "Evan From Promotions" heading.)
The opening ceremony didn't have the "cringe" factor we feared. In
fact, it was quite moving--quite spiritual in places.
More Australian gold was won at the Sydney games than at any
other (yes, there were more events than at any other Olympic Games). But even
those who missed out did us proud.
Jane Saville, a 20-kilometer racewalker, was disqualified only 120 meters from
the winner's tape. Once she'd recovered from the shock, she politely accepted
the judges' decision. She may have lost the race, but she won our hearts by
her gracious attitude.
On the track the 400-meter final with Cathy Freeman was among
the most-watched events of the Olympics. Nineteen million misty-eyed Australians
(that's all of us) watched her work through a gamut of emotions as the realization
of her victory dawned upon her.
Then there was that gold-medal-winning goal in the last second
of the women's water polo match against the United States' team.
Juan Antonio Samarach, International Olympic Committee president,
said these were the best Olympics ever. But he has said that during the closing
ceremony at every Olympic Games since he became president (with the notable
exception of Atlanta).
Evan From Promotions
What made me really proud to be an Aussie during the Olympics, though, wasn't
what happened in the pool or on the track. It was what happened in the streets
of Sydney. ABC Radio formulated a politeness test to discover how friendly Sydneysiders
really were during the Olympics.
"We tried to get the best undercover man for the job,"
said announcer Dave Mark, "but we ended up with Evan From Promotions."
Evan was dressed as a tourist, complete with an Australian-made Akubra hat and
a backpack with an American flag sticking out of it.
Evan's job was to look lost. He was taken to several sites in
the city where he would pull out a map and appear to be working out where he
was. The test was to discover how long it would take for someone to offer him
help. He was to say nothing until he was approached. When he did speak, it was
with an American accent (which he did rather poorly).
"I'm trying to make my way here to Circular Kway,"
he'd say.
After informing him that it was actually called Circular Quay
(pronounced "key"), the locals would give directions.
There were times when it took a couple of minutes for help to
arrive. But there were also times when they didn't have time to start the clock.
The average time for Evan to get assistance was one minute, six seconds.
This was a gold-medal performance. Sydney passed the politeness
test--a bigger test than whether the city could supply the venues and conduct
the Olympics. This was a test about how guests to our country are treated.
Meanwhile, Back at the Church
I wonder what would happen if Evan turned up at my church. The same principle
applies. The venue may be exceptional. The music may be heavenly. The preaching
may be soul stirring. But if guests feel unwanted or unwelcome, we've failed
them--and our Lord.
