VISA is sending three kids from the USA halfway around the world to see the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. VISA has officially opened the "VISA Olympics of the Imagination" contest to U.S. children. The contest requires children to use their imaginations to create an original piece of art that represents what the Olympic motto of "Citius, Altius, Fortius" (Faster, Higher, Stronger) means to them. The program will run throughout all 50 states through May 31. All children, ages 9-13, can enter the program individually and are not required to be a part of any school program to compete. For Sydney, VISA will select a total of 36 winners from 24 countries -- Australia, Bahamas, Bonaire, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Curacao, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russia, South Africa, United States and Uruguay.     The winners of the program and a parent or guardian will attend the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games as the guests of VISA in Sydney, Australia, from September 14-19, 2000. While at the XXVII Olympiad, they will attend a number of Olympic events and activities, and will participate in special Australian-themed activities.  Contest entry information is available through www.visa.com/visakids. The site features all rules and regulations and lists dates and deadlines as well as where to submit the artwork for judging.     Judging will be based on originality, imagination, artistic merit, and how well the artist captures the ideals of the Olympic motto, "Citius, Altius, Fortius." All of the 36 winners will be announced in June 2000.