5/23

Today was our first full day in Sydney, and with our newly acquired metro skills, we headed out to the Sydney Olympic Park. With the main stadium, the park contains a track, an indoor swimming and diving center, and a baseball field which is now owned by the Australian agricultural society.
The tour began at the entrance to ANZ Stadium where the opening and closing ceremonies were held, as well as most team sports requiring a field. Our tour guide took us to each level of the field including upper level seating, company suits, and ending with the pitch. Though we were allowed on a patch of turf near it, stepping on the actual field was at a cost of around $5,000!
During it’s creation, the stadium was designed to flow like the rim of an Australian Akubra hat. It's covered with a waterproof drainage system that is eco-friendly, so when it rains, water drains into tanks that hold one million liters of water. That water is then used to maintain the field and can also become toilet water. One of the most interesting things about the park is its continued use. The park was built with an “after” in mind, so the field can change sizes to fit games like cricket, rugby, soccer, and AFL. The seats and field continue to be cared for, unlike many of the other Olympic parks around the world.
Throughout the tour, our guide discussed the Olympic Games hosted by Australia and told us the story of Cathy Freeman. She was the first Australian to become an Olympic gold medalist in the 400M race. What is truly striking about her story is the fact that she was an Aboriginal. Since we began our trip in Lennox Head, we have heard about the struggles the Aboriginal people have faced throughout the years. Freeman created a huge wave of change in Australia after she won and proudly carried both the Australian and Aboriginal flags. To this day, her story continues to aid in changing communities for the better.
After the stadium, we walked to the track where a local girls school was hosting a “carnival” or track meet. The track is often used by locals schools for track events throughout the school year. We finished the tour at the aquatic center. The Olympic pool consisted of 50M lanes, a diving pool, a basic gym, and a recreational area. Locals are able to purchase memberships in order to use the entire facility, and many local teams host swimming and diving competitions in the arena.
Later in the evening, about half of the group attended a sausage sizzle hosted by the YHA hostel. The sizzle was similar to a BBQ and is apparently a classic Australian meal. Sausages were served on bread with a heap of onions and only cost us $2! Quite the bargain and a great end to a fabulous day full of educational exercise.