Aussie yawn at Olympics

SYDNEY - Australians have fallen out of love with the Olympics, with a majority now saying they have no interest in them.

With less than four months to go before the Olympics open in Sydney, only 49 per cent of people over the age of 14 say they have any interest, according to a survey released yesterday.

That figure was down six points on the February result and 17 on a similar poll held more than year ago.

The survey of almost 2000 people showed that interest in watching the Games on television had also declined, with just 41 per cent of people keen to watch the opening ceremony and 33 per cent the closing ceremony.

Sydney's organisers have had more than their share of problems in the build-up to the Games, with complaints about ticketing and problems involving their IOC members.

- REUTERS

The Olympics – a Herald series

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