Record Olympic day weddings due in Australia

Melbourne, Aug 4 : A record number of couples will tie the knot on August 8 at the Sydney's NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages to coincide with the "lucky" Olympic Games opening day.

Between 8 a.m. (Australian time) and 8 p.m. 96 couples will visit the Sydney registry, which has extended its operating hours on the day to accommodate the many people wanting to say, "I do".

"We have never experienced such a demand before, and we are delighted to assist so many couples,"' Registry spokesman Greg Curry said.

"Getting married on significant or lucky days is popular here at the registry. Many couples feel that getting married on the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008 will add something special," The Herald Sun quoted Curry, as saying.

The Olympic Games opening ceremony in Beijing begins at 8 p.m. on the eighth day of the eighth month this Friday.

In China the number eight, along with six and nine, are considered lucky. It is unknown how many of the couples due to marry on Friday are of Chinese descent.

"This special calendar event has caused a sensation here," Curry said.

More than 350 marriages are expected to take place around NSW on Friday, he said.

ANI