Olympic torch and opening ceremony
Sydney played host in September and October 2000 to the world's biggest sporting and entertainment spectaculars, the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Both Games were a great success and the Olympic Games were declared as "the best Games ever" by IOC President Samaranch.
The Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay began in Greece with the lighting of the torch on 10 May 2000. On its way to Australia from Greece, the Olympic flame visited nearby Olympic member Pacific nations. Arriving in Australia on 8 June 2000, the Olympic Torch Relay commenced its 100-day journey around Australia.
The Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay had 11,000 torchbearers throughout Australia with each torchbearer carrying the flame up to one kilometre, with the average slot length of 500 metres.
Sydney Olympics location
The Olympics venues were at Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush Bay is 19 kilometres west of the Sydney city centre. All satellite venues are within 40 minutes of Sydney Olympic Park and all athletes were housed in the Olympic Village adjacent to Sydney Olympic Park.
Special transport arrangements were in place to help visitors get around Sydney during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
During the Games, public transport took the community to and from venues whilst there will also be special traffic arrangements for the city.
End of the Sydney 2000 olympic games
On top of the success of Australia's athletes in Olympic and Paralympic sporting competition, the Sydney 2000 Games broke numerous other Australian, Olympic, Paralympic and world records.
Life in Australia 
