The 2000 Australian Championships in late February was an official SOCOG test event for Athletics.  Here is a view of the Olympic Stadium from the east stand.  The sliding platform for the Olympic Torch is under construction.  At the time, nobody knew what was going to happen with the lighting of the torch at the Opening Ceremony.

Medalists for the 2000 Australian Championships, Men's Pole Vault.  Left to right; 3rd Danny Krasnov (Israel), 1st Paul Burgess (WAIS), 2nd Dmitri Markov (WAIS).  Danny is a consistent over-achiever.  Despite a modest p.b. he has made the Final at several Olympic Games and World Championships.  Paul is a former training mate from when I lived in Perth.  He started out in the WAIS gymnastics program, but switched to pole vaulting when he got too tall.  Paul was taken from absolute beginner to World Junior Champion (1996) in just 4 years by WAIS coach, Steve Rippon.

Steve Rippon met Alex Parnov at the 1994 World Junior Championships in Lisbon.  Alex coached the gold and silver medalists, Viktor Chistiakov (RUS) and Dmitriy Markov (BLR).  In early 1995, Steve arranged for Alex, Viktor, and Dmitriy to stay with him for several months in Perth.  They liked Australia so much, they decided to live here.  Viktor, Dmitriy, and Paul Burgess represented Australia at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Australian Olympic Trials, Stadium Australia, August 2000.  Athletes are introduced for the Men's 100m Final.  Left to right; Patrick Johnson, Kieran Noonan, Daryl Wohlson, Paul di Bella, Matt Shirvington.  It's the middle of winter in Australia.  The competition was held in cold and blustery conditions.

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