Sydney 2000 Olympic Games - Anticipation

Fistfulls of tickets!  Unlike many people, I got lots of Games tickets in the ballot.  (And these were just for the 5 free days I had before the Athletics started !)  It turned out that I did not need many of my tickets.  My Athletics NTO accreditation was good for a free seat at many venues.

Even Cumberland Campus got swept up in Olympic fever.  The gymnasium was an official training site.

The old Lidcombe Hospital site next door to Cumberland Campus was turned into the Media Village.  This photo was taken shortly before everyone arrived.  I wanted to steal one of the flags, but security was very tight.

Looking south to the Olympic Park Precinct from atop a man-made hill in Millennium Park .  The Precinct has been quarantined; you needed a pass to get in and out.

The Olympic Torch Relay comes to Bankstown.  The Games must be close now.

There was a low-key Athletics competition (with Olympic Athletes and Officials only) the day before the Opening Ceremony.  The meet was held on the warm-up track next to the Olympic Stadium.  This track was used for the 1996 World Junior Championships.  In the photo is 1) Dominic Johnson (St Lucia), standing casually with pole (Dom jumped 5.40m in Qualifying and did not advance); 2) Kellie Suttle (USA), background right (Kellie jumped 4.30m in Qualifying, but only 4.00m in the Final for 11th place); 3) Alejandra Garcia (Argentina), on runway (Alex jumped 4.15m in Qualifying and did not advance.  She visited Oz in February 2000 and set a South American record of 4.42m at the Sydney GP); 4) Mel Mueller (USA), background left (Mel jumped 4.25 in Qualifying and did not advance).

Training jump by World Record holder and World Champion, Stacy Dragila (USA).  Well, you'd be able to tell that it was Stacy if she wasn't a stupid "lefty" and put her arm in front of her face for this photo.

This a jump by Kellie Suttle (USA) in the warm-up competition.  I was Judge (announcer, recorder, bar judge etc) for this competition, but found time to sneak out a photo.  In the background is Don Allen (Jumps Judge), and Chad Harting (USA), seated watching Kellie.  (Chad was a surprise addition to the US Olympic team.  He jumped 5.40m in Qualifying and did not advance.)

McDonalds, they're everywhere!

OPENING CEREMONY

Check out the crowd waiting to get in for the Opening Ceremony.  Me?  I'm on my way the VIP entrance.  Just one of the many benefits of being a member of "The Olympic Family".

All the Athletics Judges got a free ticket to the Opening Ceremony.  This is the Officials Seating, just below "Emperor" Samaranch and "Lord" Gosper.

One the guys performing the giant circles in this contraption is EXSS student and NSWIS gymnast, Ian Bartlett.  I tried hard, but could not work out which one is Ian.

Dominic Johnson carries the flag for St. Lucia.

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