Greek Ferry Disaster – Shock In Sydney – Olympic Gloom – Olympic Perving
- GREEK FERRY DISASTER: Two Kiwis swam for their lives after a Greek passenger ferry they were on hit rocks and sunk,
killing 63. It sunk so quickly many passengers didn’t have time to don lifejackets. The captain was allegedly watching
football on TV. One of the New Zealanders spent a terrifying hour clinging to a piece of decking, and saved the life of
a boy dog paddling close to her. There are claims of criminal negligence against the captain and crew – both for
watching TV instead of paying attention to the ferry, and for the shambolic emergency procedures. About 500 passengers
were on the ferry.
- SHOCK IN SYDNEY: The Prime Helen Clark narrowly missed being hit by lightning while she was climbing the Sydney
harbour bridge. Also in Sydney, a spat erupted between Miss Clark and opposition leader Jenny Shipley, following
comments made by Mrs Shipley after a meeting with John Howard which Miss Clark labelled irresponsible.
- OLYMPIC GLOOM: Yesterday was one of New Zealand’s worst days in Olympic history yesterday, with the 1-7 thrashing by
Argentina and a poor performance by Beatrice Faumuina. The hockey players are still own in the dumps, feeling
disappointed for themselves and their old and new fans at home. Sydney 2000 looks to be our worst Olympics in years,
with a paltry haul of four medals not looking likely to grow.
Sydney 2000 saw New Zealand’s biggest team ever with one of the worst medal hauls, sparking comments that New Zealanders
lack the hard nosed, killer instinct needed for success. Critics say the message that just participating and having fun
isn’t good enough – winning is everything.
- OLYMPIC PERVING: Sydney 2000 is being called the glamour games by some – with many spectators going to admire the
bodies of competitors in skimpy clothing rather than purely enjoy the sport.