the sydney 2000 olympic and paralympic games - Australian Sports ...

2.1 History of the Sydney Bid
PART TWO : PREPARATION FOR THE GAMES
The NSW Government commenced studies into the feasibility of Sydney hosting an Olympic Games in the
early 1970's. Homebush Bay was recommended as the central site for any Olympic plan, however
substantial new urban and sporting infrastructure was required. Masterplan proposals for the development
of Homebush Bay were endorsed by NSW Cabinet in July 1989.
In February 1988 the NSW Government formed a special Secretariat within NSW Premier’s Department to
prepare a proposal to host the 1996 Games in Sydney. Although this proposal was unsuccessful, the
foundations were laid for the future Sydney 2000 Bid.
In 1990, the NSW Government established the Homebush Bay Development Corporation (HBDC) to
manage development of the Homebush Bay site.
The Government and the City of Sydney announced Sydney's Bid for the 2000 Games on 1 March 1991.
On 1 May 1991, the Australian Olympic Committee formally endorsed Sydney as the Australian Candidate
City for the 2000 Games.
The Sydney Olympics 2000 Bid Limited (SOBL) was incorporated on 19 June 1991 to conduct and
manage Sydney's Bid. The SOBL was a public company limited by guarantee and incorporated in NSW.
The Bid Company's $25.2 million budget included funding from corporate contributions and $2.9 million
provided by NSW Government. NSW Government Bid costs are included in this report.
The Bid Company became client for the Olympic related facilities and infrastructure proposed for
Homebush Bay and being planned by HBDC. HBDC continued the remediation program for site
contamination at Homebush Bay throughout the Bid period and also formulated a number of Master Plans
for subsequent large-scale redevelopment of the area. The NSW Government worked with SOBL to
identify and endorse sites for sports and other activities that would take place outside of Homebush Bay.
The Sydney 2000 Bid for the Paralympic Games was based on the venues, infrastructure and services
proposed in the Olympic Bid. Integral to the respective Bids was the commitment made by the NSW
Government concerning delivery of venues, facilities, village accommodation, provision of essential
services and environmental initiatives. The NSW Government also agreed to underwrite the budgets of
both Organising Committees.
The Australian Government considerably assisted the Sydney 2000 Games Bids by undertaking
to contribute $150 million to the construction of new Games facilities and infrastructure. The Australian
Government also provided support in areas such as security, quarantine, diplomatic issues and
border protection.
On 23 September 1993, Sydney was announced by Mr Juan Antonio Samaranch as the Olympic Host City
for the Games of the XVIIth Olympiad. The Host City Contract was signed that evening by the IOC, the
Lord Mayor of Sydney on behalf of the Council of the City of Sydney, and the AOC.
The International Paralympic Committee awarded Sydney the XIth Paralympic Games soon after and the
Host City Contract was signed in August 1995.