• Sydney 2000

Sydney 2000 - Key Facts

ESPN staff
October 12, 2011
Sydney 2000: Key Moments | Quick Hits | Key Facts | Medal Table | Gallery | Olympics Histories Home

It was a race that stopped a nation as Cathyy Freeman, in her body suit, took gold for Australia in the 400m © Getty Images
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Dates
September 15 - October 1

Other candidate cities
Beijing, Berlin, Istanbul, Manchester

Mascots
Olly the kookaburra, Syd the platypus and Millie the echidna, three Australian animals that were meant to represent the air, water and earth, respectively

Participants
10,651 (4,069 women)

Participating nations
199

Sports
28

Events
300

Medals given out
928

IOC president
Juan Antonio Samaranch (Spain)

Games declared open by
Sir William Deane, the governor general of Australia

Last relay bearer of the Olympic flame
Cathy Freeman (Australian athlete)

Flame lit by
Cathy Freeman

Olympic oath read by
Rechelle Hawkes (Australian women's field hockey player)

Television rights
$1.33 billion

Accredited journalists
16,033

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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