Olympics: Fraser fancied to fire up 'Olympic barbie'

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

Swimming legend Dawn Fraser hurls a flaming boomerang into a giant barbecue, and the 2000 Olympic Games begin.

That is how Australians would like to see their Olympics open in September after an Internet poll on the Sydney 2000 website.

Three-time gold medallist Fraser is the most popular choice to light the flame, out-sprinting modern-day athlete Cathy Freeman.

Among the other contenders are Sir Donald Bradman, Mel Gibson and even Crocodile Dundee.

As for igniting the cauldron, the boomerang method is a favourite, despite the archery debacle of the 1992 Games when the flaming arrow shot clear over the top.

The cauldron itself: a huge barbie, cooking sausages and steaks to feed the crowd.

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The Olympics – a Herald series

Official Sydney 2000 web site