Australia hosted the successful 1956 Olympic Games at Melbourne and
now looks forward to the Sydney Olympics in the year 2000. The Opening
Ceremony wil be held on Friday 15 September 2000 and the Closing Ceremony
on Sunday 1 October 2000.
The Commonwealth Government is providing support to the New South
Wales Government and the organising committees as they prepare for
the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sydney in 2000. This support is
both in terms of specific funding and through the provision of a range
of services such as airports, immigration, customs, weather services,
drug testing and security.
The Commonwealth's involvement is managed through two key Ministerial
Committees. One deals with general Games matters and encompasses a
range of portfolio interests and the other deals specifically with
security matters. Both are chaired by the Hon Warwick Smith MP, Minister
Assisting the Prime Minister for the Sydney 2000 Games. Mr Smith is
supported in this role by a unit within the Department of the Prime
Minister and Cabinet.
The Commonwealth has also provided and committed $135 million for
the Olympic Athlete Programme to assist our athletes to prepare for
the Games. The Programme is managed by the Australian Sports Commission
and aims to develop Australia's elite athletes to their highest
potential to represent Australia with distinction in the year 2000.
Other organisations involved in the organisation of the Games are:
Australian Sports Commission
http://www.ausport.gov.au/home.html
Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games