Helen, I completely understand how you feel and I am distressed that Gil might represent a number of people. I must firstly correct Gil. His statements about Australia's heritage are a vast exaggeration - especially due to the fact that a considerable portion of the population are first, second or third generation Aussies from Asian and European countries - and have nothing to do with the colonial days.

It is true that this whole marching band disaster has just been made public and, being an occupant of Sydney myself, I was just as distressed as this Gil fellow when I heard that these poor people from all over the world were told they couldn't participate anymore. The Australian Olympic Committee has made a huge mistake, I agree.

But if you could see the frenzy of construction in Sydney at the moment and feel the anticipation and excitement generated by the 2000 Olympics you would realise that Sydneysiders have the best intentions for the Games.

~FYM~