Environmental group Greenpeace took its fight over Sydney's "green" Olympics to court yesterday, suing organisers over the air conditioning system at the 2000 Games' largest indoor venue.

But the case over the Olympic SuperDome's air conditioning was almost immediately adjourned by a Federal Court judge after lawyers for Olympic organisers said they planned to argue they were immune from prosecution.

In its suit, Greenpeace claims the Olympic Co-ordination Authority, the agency in charge of Games venues, is using ozone-depleting chemicals in the SuperDome's ventilation system.

That, the environmental watchdog argues, puts the agency in violation of Australia's Trade Practices Act, the legislation regulating the conduct of commerce in the country.

However, lawyers for the Olympic Co-ordination Authority claim the body cannot be sued because it is not operating in trade or commerce, and that as a state body it is also immune from prosecution.

Justice Deirdre O'Connor adjourned the hearing yesterday soon after lawyers for the Olympic body said they planned to make that case. She scheduled arguments on the issue for June 21st.