The Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games was described by IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch as the most beautiful ceremony he had ever seen. Held on the evening of Friday 15th September 2000, the Opening Ceremony represented everything Australian, from sea creatures and flora/fauna to lawn mowers and other Australian cultural icons. The Opening Ceremony had a cast of 12,687 people who took part in the ceremony.^[1] The 2000 Summer Olympics or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were the Summer Olympic Games celebrated in 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. ... The International Olympic Committee is an organisation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on June 23 1894 to reinstate the Ancient Olympic Games held in Greece between 776 BC to 396 AD. Its membership is 202 National Olympic Committees. ... Juan Antonio Samaranch Don Juan Antonio Samaranch i Torelló, Marquis of Samaranch (es: Don Juan Antonio Samaranch i Torelló, marqués de Samaranch) (born July 17, 1920 in Barcelona) is a Spanish sports official and was president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 1980 to 2001. ... (Redirected from 15th September) September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ...

Segments

Prelude

Hosted by Channel Seven's newsreader Chris Bath, while seven months pregnant with her first child, live on stage in the stadium. Featured various performances, including "Waltzing Matilda" with John Williamson. Channel Seven is an Australian television channel broadcasted by the Seven Network. ... Chris Bath (born 13 May 1967 in Auburn, New South Wales) is an Australian journalist and television personality. ... Waltzing Matilda is usually sung in informal settings, but it was played with a 90 piece orchestra and the 100 voice Melbourne Chorale at the 2005 Classical Spectacular Waltzing Matilda is Australias most widely known folk song, and one that has been popularly suggested as a potential national anthem. ... Williamson performing at the memorial service for Steve Irwin (September 2006) John Robert Williamson AM (born 1 November 1945 in Quambatook, Victoria) is an Australian country music singer-songwriter. ...

Welcome

The Opening Ceremony began with a tribute to the heritage of the Australian Stock Horse, with the arrival of a lone rider, Steve Jefferys, whose Australian Stock Horse, Ammo, reared. Steve Jefferys then cracked his stockwhip and a further 120 riders and their Stock Horses entered the Stadium and performed intricate steps, including forming the five Olympic Rings, to the music of Bruce Rowland who composed a special Olympics version of the main theme which he had composed for the 1982 film The Man from Snowy River. A giant banner, painted by Sydney artist Ken Done, said "G'Day" to the world. The Australian Stock Horse (or Stockhorse), has been especially bred for Australian climatic conditions. ... Steve Jefferys was the lone rider in the Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony. ... For other uses, see Whip (disambiguation). ... Among the recognizable Olympic symbols: The Olympic flag: A white flag with the Olympic Rings on it in five colours. ... Bruce Rowland is a well-known Australian composer. ... For other uses, see The Man from Snowy River. ... Ken Done, AM (born 29 June 1940) is an Australian artist probably best known for his design work; his simple, brightly coloured images of Australian landmarks have adorned a very popular range of clothing and homewares sold under the Done Design brand. ...

Anthem

The Australian National Anthem, Advance Australia Fair, was sung by both Human Nature and Julie Anthony. The performance is still regarded by many worldwide as the greatest rendition of a National Anthem at any Olympic Ceremony. The National Anthem booth at the 2005 Floriade, Canberra - on the J. Verbeeck fairground organ. ... Human Nature is an Australian pop vocal group. ... Julie Anthony is an Australian entertainer who is perhaps best known as the singer of the Australian National Anthem Advance Australia Fair. She sang the Australian National Anthem at the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. ...

Deep Sea Dreaming

This segment celebrates Australia's affinity with the sea with the stadium floor being turned into a beach setting. Nikki Webster arrives in beachwear and bask in the light. She seems to fall asleep on the beach and drifts off into a dream. The performers represent the sea and the various aquatic fauna appear and move around the arean floor. Nikki Webster is then hoisted up in the air by over head wires and swims with the sea creatures. Other swimmers are also present, being coached (on a large screen) by Australian swimming coach Laurie Lawrence. Nikki Webster (born April 30, 1987) is an Australian pop performer. ...

Awakening

This segment commemorated Australia's Aboriginal past, which dates back thousands of years. A special welcome was made to countries competing at the Games. An Aboriginal elder guided Nikki Webster through the segment. Narration for the segment was by Australian Indigenous actor Ernie Dingo. Language(s) Several hundred Indigenous Australian languages (many extinct or nearly so), Australian English, Australian Aboriginal English, Torres Strait Creole, Kriol Religion(s) Primarily Christian, with minorities of other religions including various forms of Traditional belief systems based around the Dreamtime Related ethnic groups see List of Indigenous Australian group... Ernie Dingo (born 31 July 1956) is a Yamatji from the Maheleny region of Western Australia. ...

Nature

This segment show cases the Australian outback, wildlife and flora. It begins with various fire preformers (jugglers, breathers) moving across the stadium floor, symbolising the advance of a bushfire. In the aftermath, performers representing the flora stir and, as the land is replenished with water and life, the stadium floor is filled with performers dressed in costumes representing various flowers — Australia's distinctive wild flowers such as the Golden Wattle (Australia's national flower), the Waratah (State flower of N.S.W), the Sturt's Desert Pea, Water Lilies and Eucalypt flowers among others are represented by performers. The fauna, which are represented by 7 huge paintings by Jeffrey Sammuels, are then revealed, depicting the indigenous animal life in Australia. The dream like music heard during this sequence was composed and conducted by Australian composer, Chong Lim. The flowers once more are illuminated before moving out of the stadium. Backburning in Townsville, Australia. ... Binomial name Acacia pycnantha Banks Golden Wattle, Acacia pycnantha, is Australias floral emblem. ... For other uses, see Waratah (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Swainsona formosa (G. Don) Joy Thomps. ... Genera Barclaya Wall. ... Eucalypts are tree species belonging to three closely related genera, Angophora, Corymbia and Eucalyptus. ... Chong Lim is an Australian keyboardist, producer, and session musician. ... This article is about the building type. ...

Tin Symphony

This segment show cases the European settlement in Australia, and the development of Australia into a rural and civic country.

This segment begins with the arrival of Captain James Cook and crew, with bicycles to represent his ship, HM Bark Endeavour, during Captain Cook's exploration of the Australian east coast. The performer acting as Captain Cook lights a fire work to start the segment. A caged fake rabbit is also shown aboard the ship. This article is about the British explorer. ... HMB Endeavour was a small 18th century British sailing ship, famous for being the vessel commanded by Lt. ...

Then a multitude of performers dress as the iconic Australian bushranger Ned Kelly (with costumes based on a painting of Ned Kelly by artist Sir Sidney Nolan) come onto the stadium floor, with other symbolic items of the outback such as corrugated iron and storm water tanks present. A mechanical horse like vehical is also present, it changes into a wind mill. Cultural items such as woodcutting and whip cracking are also showcased. Tap dancers are also present in this section, dancing on the corrugated iron sheets, with umbrellas made up to look like giant cogs and wheels to represent the industrial growth of Australia. The tempo changes as Australia's rural aspects are introduced. In the middle of the stadium floor, a shed is constructed from the corrugated iron sheets. Out of the shed comes a unique representation of sheeps, an important livestock. The sheep are represented by performers in cardboard boxes, that move along with the music. Australian suburbia is then represented as the performers emerge from the cardboard boxes with lawn mowers to form the Olympics Rings. The giant mechanical horse then makes another appearance, before Nikki Webster, gives an apple to it. The mechanical horse neighs to signify the end of the segment. For other uses, see Bushranger (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Ned Kelly (disambiguation). ... Sidney Nolan, The Trial, 1947: enamel on composition board; 90. ... Umbrella An umbrella is a device used for temporary shade or shelter from precipitation. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Suburb. ... A lawn mower (often spelled as one word—lawnmower) is a machine (electric or mechnical) used to cut grass to an even length. ...

Arrivals

The Arrivals segment of the ceremony celebrated Australia's multiculturalism aspects introducing each continent with a float and costumes symbolising each continent. The segment starts with the African continent and its representatives, dancing into the stadium wearing Black costumes. Then a splash of Yellow entails the arrival of the Asian immigrants into Australia, lead by two yellow Chinese Lion dancers. Europe is introduced by the colour Green, and further adds to the growing party on the stadium floor. Then another change of music and a splash of Red symbolising the arrival of people from the Americas. Finally, the people from the various Pacific Islands, with an emphasis on New Zealand come into the stadium in vivid Blue costumes. The five floats all manoeuver into positions to represent their respective coloured rings. By the crescendo of the segment, four of the floats (Asia, America, Europe and the Pacific Islands) surround the African float as the performers from all the represented continents rush out from the middle to form the Australia continent. The performers stand with arms out reached towards the audience, forming the coast line of Australia and thus symbolising Australia's welcoming arms to people from all over the world. Then many children dress in the Olympic colours flood into the arena and form a solid shape of Australia, as the performers from the sequence before leave the performance floor. Nikki Webster then performs the song "Under Southern Skies" with 5 people representing each continent standing with her, as the children form a large reprentation of the Southern Cross constellation with their lanterns. The term multiculturalism generally refers to a state of both cultural and ethnic diversity within the demographics of a particular social space. ... The term costume can refer to wardrobe and dress in general, or to the distinctive style of dress of a particular people, class, or period. ... Animated, colour-coded map showing the various continents. ... For other uses, see Africa (disambiguation). ... This article is about the color. ... This article is about the color. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Green (disambiguation). ... World map showing the Americas CIA political map of the Americas in an equal-area projection The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World, consisting of the continents of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions. ... Tuamotu, French Polynesia The Pacific Ocean contains an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 islands (the exact number has yet to be precisely determined). ... This article is about the colour. ...

A New Era and Eternity

In the middle of the stadium floor, on the central float stands Adam Garcia, who starts off tap dancing, inviting more performers onto the stadium. More dancers file into the stands where the audience are sitting and also join in with performance. Several cherry picker cranes are also in the centre with the floats and start to slowly rise up with the crescendo of the music. The dancers symbolise the workers building a new Australia for the future. Then all the dancers in the stand rush out onto the stadium floor to join their fellow dancers. Some of the dancers hold square sheets of steel, that they both dance on and also hold in their hands to also reflect light out as they dance. By the finale of this segment, large steel frames rise from each float to form a tall structure. In the middle are Nikki Webster and the aboriginal elder, who look wonderously out into the audience, surveying the workers. Then as the close of the presentation comes nearer, the performers from the other segments all come out and join in with the dancers already dancing. Adam Garcia (born June 1, 1973 in Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australia), born Adam Gabriel Garcia, is an Australian actor of Colombian descent. ...

A large representation of the Sydney Harbour Bridge composed of sparklers is set off in the middle of the stadium with the word "Eternity" shown in the middle of the bridge. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular, and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district (CBD) and the North Shore. ... While in the popular mind, eternity often simply means existing for an infinite, i. ...

Sydney 2000 Olympic Band

A massed Millennium Marching Band of 2000 musicians performed both Australian and international classics. The band consisited of 1000 Australian musicians, with the remaining 1000 musicians being from other countries around the world. The massed band was so large that six conductors were required for the segment. The band members wore Driza-Bone riding coats which had been especially modified for the band members.^[2] The band was the only live sound creator of the night; all other sounds, including the tap dancers' taps, were pre-recorded. Conducting is the act of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Parade of Nations

Once the Sydney 2000 Olympic Band made their grand introduction, the Parade of Nations began. A record 199 nations entered the stadium, the only missing IOC member being Afghanistan (which was suspended due to the Taliban regime's prohibition against practicing any kind of sports). Most remarkable was the entering of North and South Korea as one team, using a specially designed unification flag: a white background flag with a blue map of the Korea peninsula; the two teams would compete separately, however. Four athletes from East Timor also marched in the parade of nations. Although the country-to-be had no National Olympic Committee then, they were allowed to compete under the Olympic Flag. Stamp The International Olympic Committee (French: Comité International Olympique) is an organization based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas on June 23, 1894. ... The Taliban (Pashto: - , also anglicised as Taleban) are a Sunni Islamist and Pashtun nationalist movement[2] that ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001, when their leaders were removed from power by a cooperative military effort between the Northern Alliance and NATO countries. ... A sport consists of a physical activity or skill carried out with a recreational purpose: for competition, for self-enjoyment, to attain excellence, for the development of a skill, or some combination of these. ... North Korea, officially the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK; Korean: Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk; Hangul: 조선민주주의인민공화국; Hanja: 朝鮮民主主義人民共和國), is a country in eastern Asia, covering the northern half of the peninsula of Korea. ... The Unification Flag is used to represent all of Korea when North and South Korea participate together in sporting events. ... This article is about the Korean civilization. ... This article needs copyediting (checking for proper English spelling, grammar, usage, tone, style, and voice). ...

Dare To Dream

John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John walked among the Olympic competitors and sang the song "Dare to Dream", which was especially written for the occasion. John Peter Farnham (born July 1, 1949) is an English-born Australian pop singer. ... Olivia Newton-John AO OBE (born 26 September 1948) is a Grammy Award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated English-born Australian pop singer, songwriter and actress. ...

Opening Addresses

President of Sydney 2000 (SOCOG) - Michael Knight. President of the International Olympic Committee - Juan Antonio Samaranch The Governor-General, Sir William Deane, opened the games. The Games of the XXVII Olympiad were held in 2000 in Sydney, Australia. ... Michael Knight was best known as Olympics Minister in the Carr NSW Government during the Sydney 2000 Olympics and as President of SOCOG. He resigned from politics for the private sector at the height of his Olympic success, saying After the Olympic Games, what else would I do in public... Stamp The International Olympic Committee (French: Comité International Olympique) is an organization based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas on June 23, 1894. ... Juan Antonio Samaranch Don Juan Antonio Samaranch i Torelló, Marquis of Samaranch (es: Don Juan Antonio Samaranch i Torelló, marqués de Samaranch) (born July 17, 1920 in Barcelona) is a Spanish sports official and was president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 1980 to 2001. ... The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

The Olympic Flag

The Olympic Flag was carried around the arena by eight former Australian Olympic champions: Bill Roycroft, Murray Rose, Liane Tooth, Gillian Rolton, Marjorie Jackson, Lorraine Crapp, Michael Wenden and Nick Green. During the raising of the Olympics Flag, the Olympic Hymn was sung by the Millennium Choir of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. This article needs copyediting (checking for proper English spelling, grammar, usage, tone, style, and voice). ... Bill Roycroft (born March 17, 1915 in Flowerdale, Victoria) is a former Olympic Games equestrian champion who competed for Australia in five Olympic Games: 1960 Summer Olympics, 1964 Summer Olympics, 1968 Summer Olympics, 1972 Summer Olympics, and 1976 Summer Olympics. ... Iain Murray Rose (born: January 6, 1939) in Nairn but he moved to Australia with his family as a toddler. ... Liane Tooth (born March 13, 1962 in Sydney, New South Wales) is a retired field hockey forward, who twice won the golden medal with the Australian Women’s Hockey Team, best known as the Hockeyroos, at the Summer Olympics: in Seoul (1988) and in Atlanta, Georgia (1996). ... Gillian Rolton is a former Australian Olympics equestrian champion. ... Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, AC, CVO, MBE (born September 13, 1931) is the Governor of South Australia and a former Australian athlete. ... Lorraine Crapp (born October 17, 1938 in Sydney, New South Wales) is a former Olympics swimming champion from Australia. ... Michael Wenden is a former Australian Olympics swimming champion. ... Nick Green is a former Australian Olympics rowing champion. ... The Olympic Hymn, also known informally as the Olympic Anthem, is a musical piece composed by Spyros Samaras with words taken by a poem of the Greek poet and writer Kostis Palamas. ... The Church of Greece (Greek: Ekklēsía tês Helládos, IPA: /eklisia tis elaðos/) is one of the fifteen autocephalous Eastern Orthodox churches which make up the Eastern Orthodox Communion. ... In some Christian churches, the diocese is an administrative territorial unit governed by a bishop, sometimes also referred to as a bishopric or episcopal see, though more often the term episcopal see means the office held by the bishop. ...

Cauldron

The opening ceremony concluded with the lighting of the Olympic Flame. Former Australian Olympic champion Herb Elliott brought the Olympic Flame into the stadium. Then, celebrating 100 years of women's participation in the Olympic Games, former Australian women Olympic champions: Betty Cuthbert and Raelene Boyle, Dawn Fraser, Shirley Strickland (later Shirley Strickland de la Hunty), Shane Gould and Debbie Flintoff-King brought the torch through the stadium, handing it over to Cathy Freeman. Cathy Freeman then climbed a long set of stairs towards a circular pond. She then walks into the middle of the water and ignites the cauldron around her feet in a circle of fire. The planned spectacular climax to the ceremony was delayed by the technical glitch of a computer switch which malfunctioned, causing the sequence to shut down by giving a false reading. This meant that the Olympic flame was suspended in mid-air for about four minutes, rather than immediately rising up a water-covered ramp to the top of the stadium. When it was discovered what the problem was, the program was overridden and the cauldron continued its course, and the ceremony concluded with a spectacular fireworks display.^[3] The flame at the 2002 Winter Olympics The Olympic Flame, Olympic Fire, Olympic Torch, Olympic Light, Olympic Eye, and Olympic Sun are all names for an important marketing promotion and symbol of the Olympic Games. ... Herb Elliott at the 1954 Public Schools Association Athletics Herbert (Herb) James Elliott AC MBE (born February 25, 1938) is a former Australian athlete, one of the worlds greatest middle distance runners. ... Statue of Betty Cuthbert outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground Elizabeth (Betty) Cuthbert (born April 20, 1938 in Merrylands[1], New South Wales) is an Australian athlete, and a four-fold Olympic champion. ... Raelene Boyle MBE (1951 - ), Australian athlete, represented Australia at four Olympic Games as a sprinter, winning three silver medals. ... Dawn Lorraine Fraser AO, MBE, (born September 4, 1937) is an Australian champion swimmer. ... Shirley Barbara Strickland (July 18, 1925 – February 11, 2004), later Shirley Strickland de la Hunty, was an Australian athlete. ... Shane Gould (born November 23, 1956) is an Australian former swimmer who won three gold medals, a silver and bronze in 1972 Summer Olympics. ... Debra Flintoff-King (born on April 20, 1960) was an Australian hurdler, who won the second womens 400 m hurdles event at the 1988 Summer Olympics. ... Catherine Astrid Salome Freeman also known as just Cathy Freeman OAM (born 16 February 1973) is an Australian sprinter who is particularly associated with the 400 m race. ...

Opening Ceremony music information

Main article: The Games Of The XXVII Olympiad 2000: Music from the Opening Ceremony

General Information

Executive Producer: Ric Birch Ric Birch, born in Australia, was a former Rock and Roll entertainer. ...

The stadium's English-language announcer for the Opening Ceremony was Australia actor John Stanton. John Stanton (born October 28, 1944, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia), is a well-known Australian actor. ...

The wife of Juan Antonio Samaranch, the IOC President, was seriously ill and was not able to accompany her husband to the Olympics (she died the following day, from cancer). Therefore, Samaranch invited former Australian Olympic Champion swimmer, Dawn Fraser, to accompany him at the ceremony. Dawn Fraser also explained some of the cultural references in the display section to him. Juan Antonio Samaranch Don Juan Antonio Samaranch i Torelló, Marquis of Samaranch (es: Don Juan Antonio Samaranch i Torelló, marqués de Samaranch) (born July 17, 1920 in Barcelona) is a Spanish sports official and was president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 1980 to 2001. ... Dawn Lorraine Fraser AO, MBE, (born September 4, 1937) is an Australian champion swimmer. ...

The young girl singer, who featured throughout much of the early part of the opening ceremony, was Nikki Webster. Other musical performers taking part during the opening ceremony were Olivia Newton-John and John Farnham (who sang the duet "Dare to Dream" while walking among the athletes), Vanessa Amorosi (who sang "Heroes" while a huge cloth was lowered down to cover the athletes - with sporting images and the image of a white dove of peace then being displayed on the cloth) and Tina Arena (who sang "The Flame"). Nikki Webster (born April 30, 1987) is an Australian pop performer. ... Olivia Newton-John AO OBE (born 26 September 1948) is a Grammy Award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated English-born Australian pop singer, songwriter and actress. ... John Peter Farnham (born July 1, 1949) is an English-born Australian pop singer. ... Vanessa Joy Amorosi (born 8 August 1981) is an Australian singer and recording artist. ... Filippina Lydia Arena (born 1 November 1967) is an Australian singer, songwriter and musical theatre actress. ...

Television coverage

Seven Network: Australia

Seven Network Australia's live and exclusive broadcast of the Opening Ceremony began at 6.30pm (AEDST) with half an hour of preparations live at the stadium. The official countdown concluded at exactly 7.00pm. Hosts and commentators included Bruce McAvaney, Gary Wilkinson and Sandy Roberts. Commentator for the Indigenous segment "Awakening" was Australian Indigenous actor and TV personality Ernie Dingo. The only cut to an ad-break was during the Marching Band. The Seven Network is an Australian television network, owned by the Seven Media Group. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Gary Wilkinson (born April 7, 1966) is an English professional snooker player. ... Image:Sandyroberts. ... Ernie Dingo (born 31 July 1956) is a Yamatji from the Maheleny region of Western Australia. ...

NBC: United States

NBC cut the Tin Symphony segment out of its broadcast, plus the James Morrison portion of the Anthem segment. James Morrison AM (born 11 November 1962 in Boorowa, New South Wales) is an Australian jazz musician who plays numerous instruments, but is best known for his trumpet playing. ...

TVNZ: New Zealand

New Zealand viewers experienced a technical problem with their satellite feed during the "Prelude" and "Welcome" segments and therefore did not see the Countdown live.

See also

• Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
• The Games Of The XXVII Olympiad 2000: Music from the Opening Ceremony
• 1982 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony

The 2000 Summer Olympics or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were the Summer Olympic Games celebrated in 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. ... The music soundtrack of the Opening Ceremony of the 1982 Commonwealth Games, Brisbane, Queensland — (Audio tape cover). ...

References

Ric Birch, born in Australia, was a former Rock and Roll entertainer. ... Ric Birch, born in Australia, was a former Rock and Roll entertainer. ...

External links

• Sydney Olympic Games Opening Ceremony - The Official Report of the XXVII Olympiad
• Sydney Olympic Games Opening Ceremony - Australian Special Events