BBC spots bugs in Sydney

SYDNEY, Sept 29: Sydney Olympics organisers said today they are exploring new ways of raising cash for the 2000 Games after the budget was revised to 1.475 billion US dollars. Organisers want to sell companies the right to put their names on warm-up events and games venues in the pre-Olympic year.

Test events 8212; there are another 41 left after last week8217;s yachting regatta 8212; are not restricted by rules banning advertising. 8220;They8217;re not conducted under Olympic sponsorship rules,8221; Knight added.

The cost of staging the Games has increased by USD 76 million in the past year 8211; USD 595 million more than budgeted in 1996. The New South Wales state government has ordered the organising committee to put aside any savings in the next two years to help pay for the swelling costs. Knight has promised NSW taxpayers would not be left with any Games debt, saying SOCOG would not spend any money it had not raised. Meanwhile, BBC, one of the largest broadcasters covering the Sydney 2000 Olympics, attacked the Games8217;infrastructure today, saying there were serious accommodation shortages and poor transport facilities.