Stadium Australia, the Olympic Stadium

Ed Obiala Polish structural engineer arrived in Australia with his wife Grazyna in 1981 and able to speak only a few words of English. Now he is one of leading Australian constructors building the Stadium Australia our Olympic Stadium. The $615 Million Stadium is the largest stadium ever build for the Olympic Games.

The construction commenced mid 1996 and by January 5, 1999 the Stadium Australia with the 110,000 seat structure was build.





The Stadium Australia is located on Olympic Boulevard at Homebush Bay. The Stadium has a seating capacity of 110,000 for the Olympics, including 56,400 under cover and 1000 disabled seats. Stadium seats are blue and will be reduced to 80,000 after the Olympics. There are two 10m x 13.5m Panasonic screens on the stadium which are the largest in the world - 30 per cent larger than those used in Atlanta Games and cost $6 Million.

Track is 400m long. The four large towers around the stadium are access ramps - entry points for the seating areas and access for emergency vehicles. There are around 1500 toilets in the Stadium Australia. The roof is made of Polycarbonate sheeting, which is translucent. The roof does not close, however, its structure has been designed so that closing roof could be build in future if it was justified. The shape of the stadium roof was inspired by the curves of an Akubra or Australian slouch hat. It is only 16mm thick and consists of two main curved triangular trusses which span 296m joined together by a curved roof plane.

The best way to get there is by train to Olympic Park station which is only a few minutes walk from the Stadium. There are also bus services to Homebush Bay.



STADIUM GUIDE FOR THE GAMES
Event, times and seating costs (Prices are in Australian Dollar)

September 15
Opening Ceremony: 7pm - 10pm.
A:$1382 B:$985 C:$505 D:$105
September 22
Athletics: 10am - 2:30pm.
A:$85 B:$65 C:$45 D:$35
* Men's 100m round 1, men's javelin qualifying round, men's 20km walk, women's 100m round 1.
Athletics: 6pm - 10:30pm.
A:$165 B:$125 C:$105 D:$65
* Men's 100m round 2, women's 100m round 2, men's shot put final, women's 400m round 1, men's wheelchair 1500m.
September 23
Athletics: 10am - 1:30pm.
A:$85 B:$65 C:$45 D:$35
* Women's heptathlon 100m hurdles and high jump, women's 400m hurdles round 1.
Athletics: 6pm - 10:40pm.
A:$165 B:$125 C:$105 D:$65
* Men's 100m semi-final, men's 100m final, women's 100m semi-final, women's 100m final, men's javelin final, women's pole-vault qualifying round.
September 24
Athletics: 10am - 12:30pm.
A:$85 B:$65 C:$45 D:$35
* Women's marathon, men's 110m hurdles round 1, women's heptathlon long jump.
Athletics: 4:30pm - 10:30pm.
A:$165 B:$125 C:$105 D:$65
* Men's high jump final, women's triple jump final, men's hammer throw final, women's 5000m final, women's 800m final.
September 25
Athletics: 10am - 1pm.
A:$85 B:$65 C:$45 D:$35
* Men's 400m hurdles round 1, men's 3000m steeplechase semi-finals, women's 100m hurdles round 1.
Athletics: 6pm - 9:45pm.
A:$165 B:$125 C:$105 D:$65
* Women's discus final, men's triple jump final, women's 400m final, men's 400m final, men's 110m hurdles final.
September 27
Athletics: 10am - 12:15pm.
A:$85 B:$65 C:$45 D:$35
* Men's decathlon 100m, women's 200m round 1, men's 200m round 1, women's 1500m round 1.
Athletics: 5pm - 10:40pm.
A:$165 B:$125 C:$105 D:$65
* Men's 800m final, women's 100m hurdles final, men's 3000m steeplechase final, women's hammer throw final.
September 28
Athletics: 10am - 1:30pm.
A:$85 B:$65 C:$45 D:$35
* Women's 20km walk, men's decathlon discus, women's long jump qualifying round.
Athletics: 3:30pm - 10:10pm.
A:$165 B:$125 C:$105 D:$65
* Men's 200m final, men's 400m final, women's 200m final, men's long jump final, men's decathlon javelin.
September 29
Athletics: 11:30am - 2:40pm.
A:$85 B:$65 C:$45 D:$35
* Men's and women's 4x100m relay round 1, men's 50km walk.
Athletics: 6pm - 9:40pm.
A:$165 B:$125 C:$105 D:$65
* Men's pole-vault final, men's discus final, women's long jump final, women's shot put final.
September 30
Athletics: 7pm - 10pm.
A:$455 B:$285 C:$220 D:$95
* Women's high jump final, women's 4x100m relay final, men's 4x100m relay final, men's and women's 4x400m relay final.
Football: 12pm - 2pm.
A:$355 B:$230 C:$140 D:$65
* Men's gold medal match. 1500m.
October 1
Closing Ceremony: 8pm - 10pm.
A:$1382 B:$985 C:$505 D:$105
* Men's marathon



LOCATION GUIDE

[1] Train Station
Venues such as the SuperDome, the aquatic center, the hockey center and the showgrounds are within walking distance of the train station and bus depot.
[2] Stadium Australia
This will host the opening and closing ceremonies, the soccer final and the track and field events. It runs off Olympic Boulevard - a 1km paved spine linking several venues ate the Homebush Bay site.
[3] Showground
The 30ha showground and exhibition complex includes the main arena and baseball stadium and will host basketball, handball, badminton, rhythmic gymnastics, volleyball and modern pentathlon.
The complex is 350m from the railway station, about 5 minutes walk down Australia Avenue.
[4] Baseball Center
Also on Australia Avenue (about 10 minutes from the station) is the baseball center, which will also host some modern pentathlon events.
[5] Aquatic Center
The Sydney International Aquatic Center will be a hub of activity during the Games, hosting all of the swimming, diving, waterpolo and some modern pentathlon events.
The Aquatic Center is south of the stadium about five minutes walk form the Olympic Boulevard.
[6] SuperDome
The major basketball and gymnastic event (including rhythmic and trampolining) will be held at the Sydney SuperDome, which is about 10 minutes walk to the north of the stadium, almost at the end of the Boulevard.
[7] Tennis Center
The Tennis Center is on Shirley Strickland Avenue, at the southern end of the Homebush site.
[8] Sports Center
The State Sports Center is about 15 minutes walk south of the stadium on the center of the Sarah Durack Avenue and the Boulevard.
The center will host the table tennis and taekwondo.
[9] Hockey Center
The Hockey Center is nestled at the southern end of Homebush Bay on Shirley Strickland Avenue, about 800m or 10 minutes walk form the stadium.
[10] Golf Driving Range
Improve your style at the Golf Driving Range. Golf coaching classes and 18-hole putt-putt course available.
[11] Heritage Cafe and Maidan Gardens
Enjoy a cappuccino or a light meal in the beautiful heritage gardens overlooking Sydney's newest architectural icon, the Olympic Park Railway Station.
[12] Bicentennial Park
The magnificent park covers 100 hectares of parklands, wetlands and mangroves, cycle paths and walks.
[13] Hotel
The hotel is at the heart of Homebush Bay opens in 2000. The integrated hotel complex will include a 4 star 168 room Novotel and 3 star 150 room Ibis Hotel.
[14] Homebush Bay Visitors Center
Inside the historic Vernon buildings, the Center has a spectacular display featuring Homebush Bay's heritage, environmental management, venues and development.
[15] Sydney International Archery Park
[16] Millennium Parklands
Millennium Parklands is being developed in three stages, and will be one of the greatest legacies of the Games. The first stage to be complete before the Games, will cover about 420 hectares.

There are plenty of thing to see on the Olympic site, the street names, the water sculpture, the urban forest behind the stadium and the solar-powered light structures.


GETTING TO THE OLYMPIC STADIUM

Every thing about Homebush Bay is designed to urge to keep your car in the garage at home.
Parking is limited, likely to be expensive and traffic snarls mean bus, ferry services will be the best mode of transport.
Homebush Bay is in the heart of Sydney - 14km from the CBD, Opera House, Harbour Bridge and The Rocks.
Trains operate daily to Olympic Park station, which is located in the center of Homebush site and five minute walk form the stadium.
Train timetables will be upgraded by the Easter Show and by the time Olympics swing into action the tracks will be well worn.
Buses from Strathfield and Lidcombe stations will bring you to Homebush during the week and after hours.
These include buses which provide a guided tour of the site.
Ferries to Homebush Bay are currently a tourist service only. Until the Games in September 2000 there will be plenty of construction work done around the Olympic site and buses will be replace trains on some lines when vital trackwork is being done.
For the up-to-date information on buses, trains or ferries call the infoline on 131 500.
Passengers with disabilities traveling by rail are advised to interchanged at Strathfeild rather than Lidcombe, or check with the infoline to help plan your trip. Olympic Park is fully accessible and State Government buses from Strathfeild and Lidcombe are equipped for wheelchairs.
Taxi services, free coach and charter bus parking and bicycle parking are available at Homebush Bay.
Parking is quite limited and pre-booking may be required for some events, so if you do take the car telephone ahead well advance and advise Ticketmaster on (02) 9320 9111 if you require a disabled car space.



HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL IN SYDNEY 2000!
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Olympic Pins