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VOLUNTEERS OF THE SYDNEY
OLYMPIC GAMES
By Mr Sandy HOLLWAY (AUS)
Chief Executive Officer of the SOCOG
It is wonderful to be back in Olympia. I was last here a year ago for the
lighting of the torch for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Simply to wander the
serene site of Ancient Olympia and reflect on past glories is an experience
never to be forgotten.
But the existence here of the International Olympic Academy reminds us that,
thankfully, the past glories are not really past at all. The tradition of Olympism
continues, and indeed grown in strength. The Academy stands at the centre of
that achievement. It is, therefore, a great honour to be here.
Australia is a long way from Greece geographically, but this is no measure of
the closeness of our two countries or two peoples. In every visit I have made to
Greece over the past thirty years I have felt warm friendship. Our two countries
have been friends and allies through times of war and peace. Greece and Australia
are the only five countries in the Olympic Movement to have competed at every
Games since Athens in 1896.
What a great thing it is for my country to have the privilege now of passing
the Olympic baton back to the home of the Ancient and Modern Games, Greece.
What magnificent Games they will be in Athens in 2004.
The Olympic Games, are quite simply, the most wonderful sporting and
cultural event yet invented by human beings. The reasons for this are much more
profound than just the extraordinary athleticism, the spectacle, the excitement
and the fun associated with the Games. Those things are important, but more
important still, the Olympic Games embody values.
The individual values which we see on display from the athletes -
determination, courage, fair play, dignity in defeat, joy in victory, pride in
participation - are values not just about sport, but about life.
And the way, in which the Games transcend divisions of country, culture,
religion, race and politics to include the whole world on equal terms in a
celebration of peace, represents collective values desperately needed in today's
world. The Olympic Games represent true internationalism as powerfully as
any of the international political or economic organisations familiar to our
diplomats.
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