Shark Patrol Will Guard Triathletes

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday April 13, 2000

By LOUISE EVANS

Divers armed with sonar guns and underwater scooters will patrol the depths of Farm Cove on Sunday to guard some of the world's greatest triathletes against shark attack during the Olympic test event.

Up to six divers will police the 1,500-metre swim course in the harbour as the 160 triathletes assemble for the Sydney World Cup swim for Olympic selection.

SOCOG organisers said the use of the divers to scare off any rogue sharks was precautionary rather than necessary.

The aim was to ease the fears of the 120 international competitors frightened by recent Sydney shark attacks and sightings.

The shark stories have flashed around the world, appearing on the front pages of newspapers from the Wall Street Journal to a weekly village publication in Denmark and raising questions about the suitability and safety of the course.

Although a SOCOG-commissioned study by Dr John Paxton of the Australian Museum and John West of Taronga Zoo found the risk of shark attack in the harbour was ``virtually nil", race organisers yesterday decided to use sonar guards during Sunday's race to allay concern.

The president of the International Triathlon Union, Mr Les McDonald, said he was satisfied the necessary precautions were being taken to diminish any perceived risk to triathletes.