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These values not only reflected the athletes in the lead up t the Sydney
Olympics, but also those volunteers and officials, of which I was one.
Prior to the Sydney Olympics I was involved in assisting several
African countries with their pre-Olympic training. This gave me an insight into a
side of the Olympics many would not see, it certainly emphasised the challenges
that face the people of countries far less privileged than our own, and also the
opportunities that countries better off can provide. To see many of these athletes
achieve at the Olympics was a great thrill, knowing that I had played a small
role in the process made it all the more special.
In September 2000, I arrived in Sydney on the day of the opening ceremony,
tired but excited to be there. Although it had been talked about for many years,
the problems, the excitement, nothing could prepare me for the enormous effect
the Olympics would have on me. Whether I was at an Olympic venue, or the
centre of Sydney, the Olympics were everywhere. I stood in queues with
thousands of people who milled in quiet harmony, only occasionally broken by
the Australian sporting cry of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi". Transport ran on
time, the volunteers provided an amazing service, and peace rained throughout
the Olympic city of Sydney.
The Sydney Olympics was truly a union through sport, which regardless of
race, religion or politics everyone came together to celebrate the worlds sporting
greatness.
I once again had the opportunity to work in the athletics technical information
area. We were responsible for liaison with team management, checking of
uniforms, advice on site facilities, distribution of competition numbers, technical
meetings, confirmation of entries, distribution of information and protests. We had
the opportunity to work both at the Stadium Australia and at the athletes' village,
which enabled us to gain a perspective of all aspects of the Olympic Games in
action. While our work at the Olympics was exhausting, it was like an addiction
that was hard to beat. I would come home late in the evening, or get up early in
the morning to watch with the rest of the world all the great sporting achievements
taking place.
I took the opportunity during the Olympics to spend some with our Australian
track and field team managers and see the village and the stadium from their
perspective. I was amazed by the amount of work they achieved in just one short
afternoon. I ate in the athletes dining hall, sat with the athletes watching the
relay finals and helped sort their mail. It was an opportunity to experience part
of the life that all athletes have during their time at an Olympics. This was an
opportunity I will treasure always.
The Sydney Olympics provided me with many memorable moments. I shared
in waves of emotion as I watched our Australian athletes succeed, felt sorrow
as some of the worlds greatest athletes suffered disappointment, and experienced
the joy of athletes from some of our less privileged Olympic nations enjoying
being a part of such a special celebration of sport. Sharing in the thrills and the
devastation's was all part of experiencing the greatest event on earth. You can not
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