Olympic Hotel

The touring Great Britain squad stayed here prior to the First Test of the 1946 Ashes Series. In fact, all touring International teams stayed here when in Sydney in this era. An English fan talked his way into the hotel and befriended players, including Frank Whitcombe, who invited him upstairs while they packed their bags for the short trip to the SCG. With their minds on the game, the fan robbed the players blind and knicked items from several rooms, including Whitcombe's blazer. The thief had instant cold feet and everything stolen was already in the SCG dressing rooms before the Lions players arrived. Originally named The Adelaide Hotel, the name was changed in 1936 when rugby league's Viv Thicknesse became the licensee.