The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games will be held from Friday, 15 September to Sunday, 1 October. Athletes from 28 sports, will compete in some 300 events over the 16 days of competition.
The staging of the 2000 Games is the responsibility of the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) . The New South Wales Government underwrites the Games and is responsible for providing venues and facilities through the Olympic Co-ordination Authority. The Games would not be possible without the international and local companies who have pledged their support and goods and services through the Sydney 2000 sponsor partnerships.
Up to 10,200 athletes and about 5100 officials from 200 countries are expected to take part in 28 sports. They will be joined by 15,000 media, who will provide various forms of coverage for an estimated worldwide audience of 3.5 billion.
Even before the Games commences, millions of Australians and their neighbours in the Pacific will experience the excitement as the Olympic flame travels around the region in the Torch Relay.
Logistically, the Games is huge. Employment opportunities are regularly advertised. Thousands of volunteers will be needed to help run the Games. They will assist as interpreters, guides and working in media and results centres. Games technology sponsors are working on systems which will bring virtually instant results at venues, to the media and on the Internet. Other Games sponsors have committed their products, people and resources to the Games.
Approximately 5.5 million tickets will be sold, with reasonable prices giving all Australians a chance to see events.
SOCOG and the New South Wales Government are honouring the commitment made in the Bid to stage a Games which is sensitive to the needs of the environment.
Sydney's Games Bid ensured that all athletes and officials will be subsidised to travel here. Their arrival will be made possible by the Team Millennium Olympic Partner airlines.
All this costs money. With a Games budget of $2.288 billion, SOCOG's financial commitment to the Athletes Games is also backed by some of the world's leading financial institutions and insurance companies.
SOCOG is ensuring the memory of the Millennium Games will be a lasting one. Part of those memories also involve the production of quality Games merchandise and Sydney 2000 memorabilia, which helps fund the Games.