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Sydney 2000 Olympics New South Wales

By the time the 5.5 million tickets to the 2000 Olympic Games went on sale in 1999, Sydney was ready to bask in the glare of the international spotlight. The staging of the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, was held from September 15 to October 1, 2000 (Paralympics October 21 to November 1), not only highlighted the spectacular Games facilities that Sydney provided, but the Games were an unprecedented opportunity for Sydney and the rest of Australia to display to the world the vibrant and culturally rich nation that we have become.

Sydney set the pace in the lead-up to the Games with a focus on giving visitors to Sydney and New South Wales truly memorable experiences. Since winning the bid in September 1993, construction had been underway to create the world's best sporting facilities, as well as new and better attractions, a streamlined infrastructure, transport links, parks, services and technology that has served Sydney well beyond 2000. More than A$1 billion in development was spent for central Sydney area alone . Some of additional benefits to Sydney include a new rail link between the city and the airport; expanded facilities at Sydney Airport; expanded ferry network; inner urban renewal projects; and CBD retail renewal projects.

As Sydney needed an extra 5600 hotel rooms - the equivalent of 10 new large hotels - major new hotel projects were developed for the city, including Darling Harbour, East Circular Quay, Wooiloomooloo Finger Wharf, Sydney Casino, the Grace Bros CBD department store, the World Square CBD site and the Homebush Bay Olympic area.

The 2000 Olympics fast-tracked Sydney as one of the world's great destinations, it translated into more high-yield arrivals. An extra 6.3 million international tourists arrived in Sydney during the Games and as a spin-off from the focus of attention on the State, tourist numbers increased to 7.6 million in 2003.

The Games took place at venues within 30 minutes travel from the Olympic Village and main stadium at Homebush Bay, just 14 kilometres west of the city centre. For the first time in Olympic history all athletes lived together in one village near the main events. An extensive network of trains, buses, ferries, water taxis, light rail and monorail guaranteed fast and trouble-free transport to the Games venues for the many thousands of spectators.

In the years leading up to the Games, visitors to Sydney took a Homebush Bay Olympic Site Guided Tour to view the redevelopment of this massive riverside site. The tour showcased the State Sports Centre, Bicentennial Park, Athletic and Aquatic Centres, as well as the Olympic Village, Stadium (80,000 seats) and Velodrome.

The unique design of the Homebush Bay site was developed in consultation with Greenpeace and other environmental groups to showcase Australian environmental technology and ensure the 2000 Games are environmentally friendly. Issues addressed during the construction and development of the site included biodiversity, ozone depletion, air/water/soil pollution, energy efficiency, recycling, and the preservation of the Homebush Bay wetlands.

Some of the tourism benefits Sydney, New South Wales and Australia enjoyed in the lead-up to the Games included:

  • Extra 2.1 million international tourists by 2004 - representing a A$4 billion boost to tourism
  • During the 2 weeks of the games, 300,000 visitors, 30 cruise ships and 15,000 media representatives were here.
  • A major boost for the conventions, incentives and events industries
  • Unprecedented exposure and enhancement of the profile of Sydney, New South and Australia on the world stage
  • A new and improved infrastructure for tourism both before and after the Games
  • Closer links with the world travel industry
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Tourism New South Wales, 140 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney 2000.
Tel: (02) 931 1111; Fax: ~02) 9311490.
Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG)
Tel: (02) 931 2000.
Or visit the Sydney Olympics Web Site at Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
Photo courtesy - Tourism NSW
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