(ATR) Celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the Sydney Olympic Games are underway. The packed schedule of events runs right up until midnight.
The celebrations are taking place mainly in the Olympic Park precinct near Homebush. Organizers say they have ensured the program caters to Olympians, fans, organizers, sponsors and an army of around 50,000 volunteers who gave the event its human face.
The lineup of events began early, with a 7.30am ‘Appeal Breakfast’ for the 2012 Australian Olympic Team at which London 2012 CEO, Lord Sebastian Coe addresses guests, which included Sydney 2000 Olympians and athletes expected to represent Australia at the 2012 Games.
"I think it’s important to reflect on just what a good job we did back in 2000," AOC Secretary General Craig Phillips tells Around The Rings.
"We still get reminded just how good those Games were, ‘best ever’, and how important our volunteers were to its success. These sorts of things we don’t often celebrate well in Australia and so having the opportunity to do that is important."
In addition to the praise being heaped on volunteers, he said the AOC plans to honor to board members from SOCOG and the Paralympics organizing committee as well members of the Games bid committee, whose work culminated in an announcement in 1993 by former IOC President, the late Juan Antonio Samaranch, that Sydney would host the Games.
"Many people played their part in making the Games successful and we’re honoring all of them, they’re all invited to the dinner. We’re not looking at whether they were involved in government decision-making, but rather, whether they’ve made a contribution," Phillips said.
During the first half of the day, schoolchildren from primary schools across the state will take part in re-enactments of various key Olympic ceremonies, tour the main stadium, relive some key 2000 Games moments on the big screen and even see the Olympics "declared open" by NSW Premier Kristina Keneally.
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Celebrations will pick up some pace after lunch with dedications to key Games figures, sporting events, a volunteers reunion and public entertainment in The Showgrounds. The Overflow Park, a short distance away, is to be renamed Cathy Freeman Park, shortly after the iconic Olympian re-creates the lighting of the cauldron, along with Paralympic champion Louise Sauvage. (See detailed program below)
Phillips said former IOC President, the late Juan Antonio Samaranch, who was a key figure in Sydney’s successful bid for the Games and left a lasting legacy with his "best ever" Games report card, would be honored with a plaque dedication, along with Cathy Freeman, Louise Sauvage and London 2012.
"We are particularly pleased that the late IOC President’s daughter, Maria Teresa Samaranch Salisachs, accepted our invitation to take part in the dedicationceremony," he said.
"Maria and the AOC go back a long way and not many people will know that she served as Australia’s team attaché at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona."
Sydney 2000 10-Year Anniversary Events for Sept. 15
(all times Sydney, GMT +10)
7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. 2012 Australian Olympic Team Appeal Breakfast, Sofitel Wentworth, Sydney
Hosted by John Conde and John Coates. MC: Alan Jones; Speaker: Sebastian Coe, Olympic champion, chairman London 2012; Sydney 2000 Olympians in attendance
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Schools Celebration Venues at SOP: Olympic Stadium, Athletics Centre
1,200 primary school children, joined by Olympians and Paralympians. Classes will experience an Opening Ceremony and are taught about the Olympic values through the ceremonial symbols and explanations by MC, Natalie Cook - Olympic Champion.
Schools arrive at tunnel dressed in colors of the world and meet 50-plus Olympians and Paralympians.
Parade of Continents and Schools: students emerge into the Olympic Stadium in a re-creation of an Opening Ceremony.
Schools march behind Continents and their school banners.
VIPs in official party: Kristina Keneally, Premier of New South Wales; Michael Knight, Chairman, Sydney Olympic Park Authority; John Coates, President, Australian Olympic Committee; Jason Hellwig, CEO, Australian Paralympic Committee.
Sport Activities with Olympians and Paralympians: Sport underway in 30-plus stations including goalball, seated volleyball, basketball, football long jump, shot put, hockey and relays.
12:15 p.m. Dedication of the Louise Sauvage plaque, Overflow Park, southern end.
Speaking: Michael Knight; Louise Sauvage, Paralympic champion
12:45 p.m. Dedication of the Cathy Freeman plaque
Speaking: John Coates, Catherine Freeman, Olympic champion
1:15 p.m. Dedication of the Juan Antonio Samaranch plaque, Overflow Park, next to Olympic Cauldron
Speaking: Kevan Gosper, IOC member; Maria Teresa Samaranch Salisachs
3.30 p.m. Sydney 2000 Reunion, Sydney Olympic Park - ANZ Stadium, Sydney Showground
Official Proceedings at the Showground
MCs: James Bracey (Foxtel / Sky) and Susie O’Neill, Olympic champion.
Speeches: Kristina Keneally
Interviews: Sandy Hollway , Andrew Gaze and Paralympian.
3:40 p.m. Dedication of the London 2012 Plaque, Olympic Boulevard, outside the Aquatic Centre.
Speaking: Sebastian Coe
6:20 p.m. - 7:10 p.m. Official Proceedings at The Overflow Park
Indigenous Welcome
Welcome of Official Party
Arrival Olympic & Paralympic Flags carried by athletes
Flag raising & Australian National Anthem
Speeches: Kristina Keneally; John Coates; Michael Knight
Dedication of Cathy Freeman Park
Re-lighting of the Olympic Cauldron
7:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Sydney 2000 10th Anniversary Celebration Dinner, ANZ Stadium
Sydney 2000 athletes, members of the Sydney 2000 bid and organizing committee boards invited
MC: Grant Hackett ; Speech: Sebastian Coe
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