2000 Summer Olympics closing ceremony

2000 Summer Olympics
closing ceremony

Date	19:00, 1 October 2000 (AEDST (UTC+11:00)) (2000-10-01T19:00AEDST (UTC+11:00))
Venue	Stadium Australia
Location	Sydney, Australia
Filmed by	Seven Network and SOBO
Participants	114,714 in attendance

The Closing Ceremony took place on 1 October 2000 in Stadium Australia. The Closing Ceremony attracted 114,714 people, the largest attendance in modern Olympic Games history. IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch declared that the 2000 Olympic games were best Olympic Games ever.

Segments

Countdown

• ‘Countdown Fanfare’ – Composed by Richard Mills performed by Sydney Symphony Orchestra
• ‘Games 2000 Fanfare’ – Composed by David Stanhope, performed by Sydney Symphony Orchestra
• ‘Island Home (Earth Beat mix)’ – Written by Neil Murray, performed by Christine Anu

Entry of the Flagbearers and the Athletes

• ‘Games 2000 Fanfare’ – Composed by David Stanhope, performed by Sydney Symphony Orchestra
• ‘Olympic Fireworks’ – Composed by David Stanhope
• ‘Journey of Angels’ – Performed by Chong Lim
• ‘Affirmation’ – Performed by Savage Garden

National Anthems of Greece and Australia

• ‘The National anthem of Greece’ – Performed by The Millennium Children’s Choir of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
• ‘The National Anthem of Australia (Advance Australia Fair’ – Music & Lyrics by Peter Dodds McCormick, performed by Sing 2001 Choir, Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Official Speeches

IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch declared at the Closing Ceremony,[17]

"I am proud and happy to proclaim that you have presented to the world the best Olympic Games ever."

Speech By The SOCOG President Michael Knight

For the last 16 days, we have been privileged to watch the performances of more than 11,000 of the best Athletes of the world. We have marveled at their skill, applauded their triumphs, shared their disappointments and admired their courage. So tonight, on behalf of all of us, I say thank you to the athletes of the world. You have given us the time of our lives and left us with memories which will last a lifetime. Behind the scenes, many tens of thousands of people have worked tirelessly to make these Games possible. The builders of these wonderful facilities, our sponsors, Jacques Rogge and the IOC Coordination Commission, the officials who have run the competitions and members of the Sydney 2000 team all deserve our gratitude. So, too, do the police, the rail workers, bus drivers, cooks, and cleaners, doctors and nurses and many others whose contribution has been outstanding. Above all, I would like you to join with me in applauding our magnificent volunteers. Without over 46,000 volunteers, Sydney could not have staged these Olympic Games. Their friendly enthusiasm, good humor and helpfulness set the tone for the whole Games. Volunteers receive no payment, but their contribution has been truly priceless. Tonight, I also want to thank our visitors from around the world for the way in which you have embraced our city and our country. Your warmth and friendship towards Australians from all walks of life has made hosting you a delight. For Australians... For Australians, this has been a very special time. From the arrival of the Olympic torch at Uluru, there has been a tremendous spirit among our people. Since the Opening Ceremony, there has been a magical feeling in Sydney. And with each day of the Games, a magical mood in this city has simply grown stronger. All Australians are entitled to feel proud of our athletes, our country and themselves for what our nation has achieved during this period. And finally, I want to thank my family. The families of all people in public life are subjected to extra pressures. Yet they don't share the praise when things go well. So tonight, I want to acknowledge my whole extended family, especially my wife and daughters Annie, Catherine, Joanna. I thank you for everything you have endured. Without your help, I wouldn't be here tonight. I love you very much. Thank you everyone. For more than 20 years, Juan Antonio Samaranch has been the President of the International Olympic Committee. Sydney is his last Games as IOC President. Regrettably, these Games for him were interrupted by personal tragedy. I thank him for his return in difficult circumstances and for his show of support for Sydney and Australia. Tonight is the last time Mr. Samaranch will ever speak to formally close an Olympic Games and deliver his verdict on those Games. Next year, he retires. Therefore, tonight is a very special occasion in his life. Please welcome Mr. Juan Antonio Samaranch.

Speech By the IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch

Governor-General, Dear athletes and friends, 7 years ago I said, "And the winner is...Sydney." Well, what I can say now? Maybe, with my Spanish accent: "AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE". Well done. To you, all the people of Sydney and Australia. These have been your Games. And to you, our friends from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders communities, we say: You have helped to write a glorious chapter in the history of Australia. Our warmest congratulations and many thanks go to all those who have made this fantastic success possible: the New South Wales government, the Sydney City Council, the other local authorities and also to the federal government, to Sydney 2000, its leaders and the entire staff, to the Australian Olympic Committee, for its 58 medals: What an achievement, particularly taking into account the numbers of Australia's population, to all the International Olympic Committee and also to our staff. The time has also come to express our gratitude and pay a very special tribute to the most dedicated and wonderful volunteers ever. To you, athletes of the world, we say: You have given us your very best. Your best performances. Your best spirit of fair play. Thank you for these exceptional Games. These have also been your Games. The Games of the athletes and also of the sport-loving people. Indeed, we did celebrate humanity. Many thanks also to all the media of the world. They came in unprecedented large numbers, thus demonstrating the growing importance of the Olympic Games. Congratulations to all broadcasters for bringing the Olympic spirit to the four corners of this planet. Our gratitude also goes to all our partners and sponsors for their support and belief in the Olympic ideal. Les Jeux de la XXVII Olympiade à Sydney ont été animés du meilluer espirit olympique. Cet espirit qui a été ravivé par Pierre de Couberton, notre fondateur Jeux Olympiques, est fait de compréhension mutuelle, d'amitié, de solidarité, de fair-play et de respect.- The Games of XXVII Olympiad in Sydney were driven by the Olympic Spirit. This spirit, revived by Pierre de Couberton, is one of mutual understanding, friendship, solidarity, fair play and respect. The Sydney 2000 Games also show that, with the support from the United Nations, the Olympic Truce can be a reality, as demonstrated by the historical joint parade of the two Korean delegations at the Opening Ceremony of this Games. These are my last Games as President of the International Olympic Committee. They could not have been better. Therefore, I am proud and happy, to proclaim that you have presented to the world the best Olympic Games ever. And now... And now, on behalf of the International Olympic Committee, I have the honor of presenting the Olympic Order in gold to Mr. Michael Knights, President of Sydney 2000, as an expression of our gratitude for the perfect organization, and also to Mr. John Coates, President of the Australian Olympic Committee, to fulfilling the promise of these being the athletes' Games. And in addition, the International Olympic Committee has decided to award the Olympic Cup to the People of Sydney. Thank you Sydney, Thank you New South Wales, Thank you Australia. You made it. Now, I have the honor to introduce to you the 8 athletes who have just been elected as members of the International Olympic Committee, by the athletes participating in these Games. I now declare the Games of the XXVII Olympiad in Sydney closed and, in accordance with our tradition, I call upon the youth of the world to assemble, 4 years from now in Athens, Greece, birthplace of Olympism, to celebrate with us the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad. Thank you. And good-bye Au revoir. Adiós. Adieu.

The Olympic Order and Cup Awarding

Michael Knight, President of the President of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Organizing Committee (SOCOG) was awarded the Gold Olympic Order as an expression of gratitude for a perfect organisation. In addition, The International Olympic Committee has decided to award the Olympic Cup to the people of Sydney for their enthusiastic and unpartisan support of athletes from all countries.

The New Member Athletes of the International Olympic Committee

The eight athlete members who were elected are:

1) Sergei Bubka (athletics, Ukraine)

2) Charmaine Crooks (athletics, Canada)

3) Robert Ctvrtlik (volleyball, United States of America)

4) Manuel Estiarte (water polo, Spain)

5) Susan O'Neill (swimming, Australia)

6) Alexander Popov (swimming, Russian Federation)

7) Jan Zelezny (athletics, Czech Republic)

8) Roland Baar (rowing, Germany).

The 'Welcome Home, Olympics: Athens 2004' Handover

Dimitris Avramopoulos, Mayor of Athens and Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, President of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games Committee

Olympic Flag and Hymn

• ‘Olympic Hymn’ – Composed by Spiros Samara, lyrics by Costas Palamas, performed by Yvonne Kenny
• ‘Journey of Angels’ – Composed by Chong Lim

The flag bearers of the Olympic Flag was:

1) Lori Munz (swimming)

2) Melissa Rippon (water polo)

3) Anna Mcllwaine (diving)

4) Matthew Belcher (sailing)

5) Neil Dennis (rowing)

6) Stefan Szscurowski (rowing)

7) Kerrie Meares (cycling)

8) Mark Renshaw (cycling)

We'll Be One

• ‘We'll Be One’ – Performed by Nikki Webster & Sing 2001 Choir

Let's Party!

• ‘Absolutely Everybody (Latino Mix)’ – Performed by Vanessa Amorosi
• ‘Love is in the Air (Olympic samba mix)’ – Performed by John Paul Young
• ‘Back on the Terra Firma’ – Performed by Phil & Tommy Emmanuel
• ‘What You Need’ – Performed by INXS with Jon Stevens
• ‘Working Class Man’ – Performed by Jimmy Barnes
• ‘Beds Are Burning’ – Performed by Midnight Oil
• ‘Treaty’ – Performed by Yothu Yindi
• ‘Dancing Queen’ – Performed by Kylie Minogue
• Theme from ‘Jaws’ – Composed by John Williams
• Theme from the TV show, ‘Bananas in Pyjamas’(Remix) – Written by Blyton
• ‘Don’t Call Me Baby’ – Written, Lyrics & Performed by Madison Avenue
• ‘Finally’ – Performed by Cece Peniston
• ‘On A Night Like This’ – Performed by Kylie Minogue
• ‘Land Down Under’ – Performed by Men At Work with cast (The Geodome Stage was folded into a giant 8-sided octagontal figure called The Geode)
• ‘Waltzing Matilda’ – Performed by Slim Dusty with cast

Closing Night Harbour Spectacular

Olympic colours on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

'Closing Night Harbour Spectacular' Soundtrack:

• Olympic Fireworks - David Stanhope
• Tannhauser Overture - Richard Wagner
• Arrivals: Movements I to V - Pee Wee Ferris
• Symphony Of A Thousand - Gustav Mahler

Anthems

• Millennium Children’s Choir of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia – Greek national anthem
• Millennium Children’s Choir of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Sing 2001 Choir and Sydney Symphony Orchestra – Australian national anthem
• Yvonne Kenny, Millennium Children’s Choir of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and the Sing 2001 Choir – Olympic Hymn

Television coverage

Australia - Seven Network on Channel 7

See also

• Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
• 2000 Summer Olympics opening ceremony