The World Cheers as Unolympics Opens

MEDIA RELEASE - INTERNATIONAL

The World Cheers as Unolympics Opens

Tuesday September 12 2000

In the midst of the Sydney Olympics hype, Shame 2000, the official website of Unolympics.com, will be launched from Sydney today.

The Unolympics philosophy is that "the Howard Government’s mean spirited policies contradict the ideals of the Olympic movement."

The satirical website is a lobbying tool and resource base for Australian social justice, human rights and environmental issues. With a few clicks of the mouse visitors can email or fax their concerns directly to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers.

The launch coincides with the Australian Government's recent decision to deny entry to United Nations Human rights inspectors, following criticism of its record on the treatment of indigenous Australians and refugees. The Government's decisions were described by media commentators as "taking its bat and ball and going home" and by the United Nations as "a tragedy."

Unolympics.com’s Net Activist and Producer, David Gravina, explained that any resemblance between Shame 2000 and the official SOCOG’s Sydney 2000 site was "purely intentional." Gravina says "We wanted to build a site that was visually unattractive and difficult to navigate. "

The Sydney 2000 site proved to be inspirational.

"We’re not anti-Olympic," says Graham Catt, Unolympics.com Media Assassin and Content Manager. "In fact we’re a lot more Olympic in spirit than the Olympics."

Catt says "If the world is going to be focussed on Australia for three weeks it needs more than just the hype. We’d like the world to know about the real issues, and have a laugh at some politicians while they do. As Australians we’ve got a proud tradition of taking the piss to uphold."

Shame 2000 will be continuously updated throughout the Olympics.

ENDS

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