Eight years ago Sydney Olympic Park staged what then-IOC boss Juan Antonio Samaranch described as "the best Olympic Games ever". Now the Novotel Sydney Olympic Park is working with Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) to recreate some of that Olympic magic for the Beijing Games.
The Novotel's famous Brewery will extend its beer garden, with giant screens showing the Olympic action live; SOPA will relight the Olympic Cauldron twice daily; and special Olympic-themed meals will be available in the Bistro. Guests will also receive fortune cookies with each meal purchased. Also in keeping with the theme, patrons will be able to compete in a range of Olympic sports on a Wii games console to win prizes such as bottles of wine or dinner for two.
A medal tally board will be on show in the bar and there will also be live entertainment on during the Games. You can even test your eye/hand coordination and reflexes against the scores of an Olympic athlete at the Acuvue Eye Fitness Screening Van.
"The Olympic Live Sites around Sydney in 2000 were the perfect place to gather with others and celebrate the excitement and camaraderie of the Olympics so we wanted to bring that spirit back to the place it all began," said General Manager Lorraine Mercuri.
"Novotel, as the home of sport and as a sponsor of the Australian Olympic Committee, seemed like the ideal place to celebrate the excitement of the Beijing Games.
"The reason our Games were so successful was because of the friendliness of Sydneysiders and the volunteers and it's great that the world-class facilities here continue to be used constantly - what better place could there be to enjoy the next Olympics?" she said.
The Olympic theme will continue throughout the hotel with Olympic images on the lifts, fortune cookies with prizes and discounts for all guests checking in and a tally board of medals in the lobby too.
The Olympic Live site will be launched on Friday 8th August and will extend until the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing Games.
The Novotel is located on Olympic Boulevard, Sydney Olympic Park. For more information go to www.novotelsydneyolympicpark.com.au
