Olympic Scoop

They created magic with the extraordinary concert series The Main Event and now, New idea can reveal that Australia’s king and queen of music John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John will take their magic to the world stage when they sing the theme song for the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

In what could be the greatest honour of their lives, the icons of pop have been chosen to perform the official song Dare to Dream for an audience of millions worldwide. While Olivia and John’s management had discussed the possibility of staging a Main Event 2 this year, it may now go ahead in 2001, following their tear-jerking Olympic performance of the inspirational so The Olympics show-stopper will cap off a triumphant year for both artists.

Olivia has received enormous acclaim for her gritty performance in the feature flick Sordid Lives and has just finished a sell-out concert tour of the US. While John, once again, captured the hearts of the nation with the emotionally charged Tour of Duty concert in East Timor. The Aussie hero, who has just turned 51, will celebrate his birthday with the release of a new CD, 33%, on August 7, and a new single, Trying to Live my Life Without You. Ironically, Steve Kipner, who wrote Olivia’s hit Physical, has also written the song that is the namesake of John’s upcoming promotional tour, Man of the Hour, which goes on sale August 14.

With rehearsals for the highly anticipated opening ceremony beginning soon, Olivia will get a taste of the fanfare and Olympic spirit the golden pair can expect on September 14 when she carries the torch around the Sydney Opera House.

By Sue Smethurst