2000 Summer Paralympics: Difference between revisions

| host_city = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia

The '''2000 Summer Paralympic Games''' or the '''XI Summer Paralympics''' were held in [[Sydney]], New South Wales, Australia, between 18 and 29 October. The Sydney Paralympics was the last time that the Summer Paralympics were organized by two different Organizing Committees. In this edition, a record 3,801 athletes from 120 [[National Paralympic Committee]]s participated in 551 events in 18 sports, and until the [[2006 Commonwealth Games]] held in [[Melbourne]], it was the second largest sporting event ever until that date held in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere. Sydney was the eighth city to host the Olympics and the Paralympics on same venues at the same year, and the first since Barcelona 1992 that they were organized in complete conjunction with the Olympics. They were also the first Paralympic Games outside the Northern Hemisphere and also in Oceania.<ref name="Australian Bureau of Statistics">{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/featurearticlesbytitle/E7E546D49DCA1D97CA257298000CED32?OpenDocument|title=A look back at the Sydney Paralympics|publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics|date=25 January 2002|access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref>

OnFrom the 9th to 13th of 9–13 September 1993, during the 10th International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Executive Board Session the entity carried out an assessment and announced that four ([[Beijing]], [[Berlin]], [[Manchester]] and [[Sydney]]) of the five finalist cities for the [[2000 Summer Olympics]] had met the specific conditions to host the Paralympic Games.

It was not mandatory that candidate cities host both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but motivated by the events in the lead up to the 1996 Summer Paralympics, the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) decided in 1993 that the newly created [[International Paralympic Committee]] (IPC) would become a stakeholder in the Olympic city selection process. This allowed the IPC the opportunity to gauge the intentions of candidate cities around hosting the Paralympics through the addition of specific topics in the questionnaires. This also allowed the IPC to establish its own selection commission alongside the IOC; however, the two functioned independent from one another. When it became public that 5 cities had finalised the process to host the 2000 Summer Olympics, the IPC evaluated each separately and sent the name of the 4 four that fit within its expectations to host the Paralympics. Three cities ([[Beijing]], [[Berlin]] and [[Manchester]]) were treating the Paralympics as an integral part of their bid, while Sydney, due to Australian legislation at the time, presented a separate bid supported by the Sydney Olympic Bid Committee (SOBC) which gave late but crucial support. While Berlin, Beijing and Manchester presented economically strong bids, Sydney presented simpler documentation, but technically better, which gave it advantages from the beginning. Unlike its competitors, the Australian bid was an adaptation of the Olympic project and promised the same conditions of accessibility and sporting performances. It became a consensus within the IPC that Sydney was the only viable bid, and in an unprecedented move, the 94 [[National Paralympic Committees]] at the 10th IPC Executive Board Session held in Berlin, Germany, unanimously awarded them the hosting rights by acclaimation.

As it was selected as host at different moments, this was the last time in history that the Summer Olympics and Paralympics were organized by separate bodies, though administrative and financial decisions in all areas was jointly made, as the all common areas were the same.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sydney 2000 Paralympic Summer Games|publisher= Stock Mandeville Paralympic Heritage |date=April 2022 |url=https://www.paralympicheritage.org.uk/sydney-2000-paralympic-summer-games|access-date=27 April 2022 }}</ref><ref name="ref1">{{cite web|url=http://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/4245/bp2_6.pdf|title=Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games|publisher=NSW Treasury|date=1999–2000|access-date=22 August 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327105057/http://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/4245/bp2_6.pdf|archive-date=27 March 2016}}</ref> Six years later when hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics and the Winter Paralympics. Turin, Italy had to separate the organization of the two events when there were 6 months left for the opening of the Paralympics for financial reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/10-olympic-games-bankrupted-host-countries9.htm|title=10 Olympic Games That Nearly Bankrupted Their Host Countries|date=19 January 2014|access-date=15 August 2016}}</ref>

Despite having a historical tradition in the Paralympics and having participated (and won gold medals) in the previous eight summer editions, Australia had traditionally looked down on Paralympic sport, to the point that during the 2000 Summer Olympics host city bid process. After won the Australian internal process, Sydney had showed little or no interest in hosting the Paralympics and had not submitted any proposal about hosting the event. The interest for the Paralympic Games only arose when there was the possibility of a defeat of the Olympic bid for two of its main rivals in the process: Manchester, in the Great Britain and Berlin, in the recently unified Germany. Even so, and being a traditional stakeholder in the International Paralympic Movement and with expressive results in all eight previous summer editions. It was normal that the accomplishments and performances of local athletes were little noticed or ignored. Not even expressive results, such as fifth place in the medal table at the 1992 Summer Paralympics held in Barcelona, drew attention in the same way that Paralympic sport was treated in other countries: some sectors of society treated the Paralympics as an event of "second class".

Despite having given initial guarantees in 1964, in 1966, alleging increased costs and lack of infrastructure and a local responsibilities, Mexico City withdrew from host the [[1968 Summer Paralympics]] and in 1967, as part of Israel's celebrations for their 20th anniversary of independence, the Israeli government made aemergencial bid to host the Games in 1967.

The Soviet Union rejected the hosting rights for the [[1980 Summer Paralympics]] out of hand, also issuing the infamous statement that "There are no people with disabilities in the USSR!" Following this, the [[Netherlands]] ([[Arnhem]]) immediately offered to host, which was accepted. After these problems, an attempt was made to approach [[Los Angeles]] so that the original concept of "one city, two events" could be resumed. But even with potential sympathy on the part of LAOCOG'84, formal relations did not exist between the Stoke Mandeville Committee and the IOC, nor even between the various American Federations of Sports for the Disableds. In the midst of conversations between Los Angeles and the Stoke Mandeville Committee, it became public that the chosen funding model intentionally overlooked the holding of the Paralympics, and upon learning of this, those responsible for wheelchair sports in the United States decided to request the holding of their event separately.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stoke Mandeville 1984 Paralympic Summer Games|publisher= Stoke Mandeville Paralympic Heritage |date= 2019|url=https://www.paralympicheritage.org.uk/stoke-mandeville-1984-paralympic-summer-games|access-date=16 August 2022}}</ref>

This situation led the IOC to start talks with the 1988 hosts, [[Seoul]], and the 6 cities interested in hosting the 1992 Summer Olympics. In 1984,Seoul accepted the Games in a late stage but with a different Organizing Committee, who worked with alongside their Olympic counterparts. However, the SLOOC only accepted help in trivial matters such as logistical services and the training of volunteers, but the South Koreans held the Paralympics by removing some different elements (i.e. different venues and a specific Paralympic Village), as the Olympics had poor accessibility conditions, while all the apartments were sold on the guarantee that they would be delivered to their buyers the week after the Games ended.

Seoul would ultimately finance the Paralympics with the profits and extendendextended sponshipssponsorships quotas and ticket sells from the Olympic Games.<ref>{{cite web |title=Seoul 1988 Paralympic Summer Games|publisher= Stoke Mandeville Paralympic Heritage |date= 2019|url=https://www.paralympicheritage.org.uk/seoul-1988-paralympic-summer-games|access-date=16 August 2022}}</ref>

Contrary to what had happened previously, the Spanish city managed to finance the Paralympics with the extension of existing sponsorship quotas and signed new contracts with new sponsors specifically for the Paralympics. But this was not enough to raise more funds, given the fact that the initial budget could not cover the costs of preparation and initially it was proposed to use more public resources so that other expenses could be covered. Soon after the first denial of extra support by the Spanish government for the Paralympic Games, COOB'92 received support from the third sector, through a partnership proposed by the Spain's National Organization for the Blind (ONCE).

The city still managed to receive some additional public funds, and had the support of the [[ONCE Foundation]] who helped the Paralympic division of the COOB'92 to turn a joint venture with also helped to organize and also added funds of its own, buying a minority stake and also acting as a manager of personnel and resources to be applied. ONCE's proposal perfectly fit the needs of COOB '92. And it included the idea that the Paralympic division would become a joint venture between the two interested parties. Thus, with a big political power, ONCE was predisposed to help the Paralympic division to seek new financial resources to cover the missing amounts. for volunteers who would work in services for athletes with disabilities.

Despite what had been agreed in 1989, in which Barcelona and Madrid would be the last Paralympics organized by the International Coordination Committee (ICC) and that from the Winter Games of 1994 onwards, the powers to organize the Paralympic Games would belong to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). And despite the intentions of this institution to carry out the Paralympics and the Olympics jointly in the city, this ran the risk of not happening, as the Olympic Organizers "closed the doors" to the Paralympic Games "claiming that the financial potential of a niche event could lead to any risk of loss and huge net losses", and this led to a public outcry in the US and also led to actions by civil society and the third sector led by the [[Shepherd Center]],a world know rehabilitation centre. Due the lack of financial guarantees and other issues as the such as the non-involvement of local authorities. Due this situation, a Bid Committee led by the SheperdShepherd Center members, signed a pre-contract with the IPC in 1991 and was only effective as host city in March 1992, but the two events were in the responsibilities of two different organizers.

If the joint management of the 1992 Games opened up new possibilities for the Paralympic Games, the confusion and discredit surrounding the 1996 Games could cause enormous damage to the image of the Paralympics.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Buckhead's Shepherd Center saved the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games|publisher= Reporter Newspapers |date=3 August 2019 |url=https://reporternewspapers.net/2019/08/03/how-buckheads-shepherd-center-saved-the-atlanta-1996-paralympic-games/|access-date=16 May 2022}}</ref><ref name="Atlanta History Center">{{cite web |title=The 10th Paralympic Games and Their Place in Disability History|publisher=Atlanta History Center |date=4 March 2021 |url=https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/blog/the-10th-paralympic-games-and-their-place-in-disability-history/|access-date=16 May 2022 }}</ref> As the events in Atlanta they had no relation, and were planned to held with two separate Organizing Committees, functioning simultaneously and without any communication and inexistent relations. Even Nagano, which would host the [[1998 Winter Paralympics]], was further ahead than Atlanta and provided more security for the International Paralympic Committee, that despite having two separate organizations, the stakeholders were the same.<ref>{{cite web |title=Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Summer Games|publisher= Stoke Mandeville Paralympic Heritage |date= 2019|url=https://www.paralympicheritage.org.uk/atlanta-1996-paralympic-summer-games|access-date=23 May 2022}}</ref>

[[Anchorage]], [[Alaska]] applied to host the 1992 and [[1994 Winter Olympics]] without success, and [[Salt Lake City]] also applied for the [[1998 Winter Olympics]], before the Utah capital "bought" the bidding process and won the rights to host the [[2002 Winter Olympics]] in 1995: three years later, the ensuing bribery scandal became public, leading to the biggest crisis in the history of the Olympic movement until the [[2020 Summer Olympics]] were postponed. Considered short-term bids, both Atlanta and Salt Lake City had used as a guide the financing model of the [[1984 Summer Olympics]], when no public funds were invested in the organization of the Games. Unlike Sydney, all the competition venues were ready and were mostly from private institutions. During the bid, all sponsors and interested parties financed all the necessary works.

By choosing this model, however, the Atlanta Olympic Bid Committee, caused the Paralympic Games to be "forgotten", as seen from the loss of funding and low market potential, closing the door to any kind of damage to the image of the AOCOG. However, when this situation was discovered, this led to a severe public outcry. As Salt Lake City was already in the bidding process for the 2002 Winter Olympics, the International Olympic Committee changed the process and signed a strategic partnership with the International Paralympic Committee in 1994, making the compromise to host the Paralympics under the same umbrella and Organizing Committee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Winter Games|publisher= Stoke Mandeville Paralympic Heritage |date= 2019|url=https://www.paralympicheritage.org.uk/salt-lake-city-2002-paralympic-winter-games|access-date=17 August 2022}}</ref>

Under the current Australian legislation at the time, regardless of winning or losing the candidacy, at the end of the process it would have to be dissolved. Thus, these rules blocked any change in the composition, structure and functioning of the SOBC. As a result of this, the bid committee created by the APF had to do all the work alone.<ref name="Hartung-Rocket Fuel" />

After the decision was made by the IOC, Berlin was seen as favorites, as it was "considered the perfect proposal to celebrate the entry of the third millennium" as they wanted to celebrate the ten years of the [[German reunification]] by hostingand the Games were seen a perfect opportunity. But the support of its bid was marred after anti-Olympic protesters marched through the city just four days before the final votevoting in Monaco, claiming that the Games would be using funds to further domestic reconstruction efforts.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/19/world/peacefully-10000-protest-berlin-olympic-bid.html|title=Peacefully, 10,000 Protest Berlin Olympic Bid|last=Kinzer|first=Stephen|date=19 September 1993|work=The New York Times|access-date=27 November 2009}}</ref>

The [[Manchester bid for the 2000 Summer Olympics|Manchester's bid book]] was believed to be one of the most strong, but was harmed by recurring delays in the regeneration process and the ongoing works at the historic centre of the city, by criticism within Britain when its promotional videos and material featured videos and photos of the main tourist attractions of the capital [[London]] city , such as [[Buckingham Palace]] and [[Tower Bridge]], instead of Manchester's tourist attractions.

A review of the failed project in a smaller scale was submitted two years later to the [[Commonwealth Games Federation]] (CGF), and the city was eventually named as the host of the [[2002 Commonwealth Games]].

Beijing had very weak arguments, similar to those of Milan (who withdrew in February 1993 due to a scandal involving overpricing for the project and involving environmental risks related to the [[Po River]]), though Beijing stated that "the city would accept the mission of organizing and hosting the Paralympic Games, and that the financing would be the same".

However, that the entire project would be developed jointly between BOBICO and the IPC, respecting all international rules and legislation. Despite this, the Chinese bid was still frowned upon because of issues relating to the protests in [[Tiananmen Square]] in 1989, along with weak legislation related to the disabled and the accessibility ofin public places.<ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.1177/0022009416667791|title = Harnessing Human Rights to the Olympic Games: Human Rights Watch and the 1993 'Stop Beijing' Campaign| journal=Journal of Contemporary History| volume=53| issue=2| pages=415–438|year = 2018|last = Keys|first = Barbara| url=http://minerva-access.unimelb.edu.au/bitstream/11343/217038/5/Keys%20Human%20Rights%20JCH%20author%20version.pdf|hdl = 11343/217038|s2cid = 159945661|hdl-access=free}}</ref>

With all these problems seeing the other candidates eliminated, only the APF candidacy remained, which also faced serious problems: despite being the only viable candidate, therethe risks were still present, as there were no financial and structural guarantees for the project.<ref name="Hartung-Rocket Fuel" />

During the first phase of feasibility studies, the Sydney 2000 Olympic Bid Committee (SOBC) had rejected the holding of the Paralympics, haunted by the perfect storm that was brewing in Atlanta. That made perfect sense, whobecause wereafter organizingso itsmany eventconflicts withboth twoevents non-communicatingwould organizinghappen, committeesbut thatbeing organized by two totally different operatedand completelydisconnected independentlyorganizations.

However, it was clear that the two events would be organized by two separate Organizing Committees. Immediately, the bid consultants advised the SOBC to reconsider its decision, and reluctantly they accepted this: it was claimed that the "rejection of the Paralympic Games could be considered a crucial weakness for Sydney" and that "important votes for the end could be lost".

While the possibility of what was happening in Atlanta could repeat were real, the APF'sAustralian Paralympic athletes and managers resilience was what kept their hopes alive.

While the period of presentations was approaching, SPBC was structured. With a simpler and more modest structure than the other candidates as consequences of the lack of financial, organizational and structural support. As the final evaluations approached, the Sydney bidding committee for the 2000 Summer Paralympics was structured in a simpler and more modest way than the other bidders as a consequence of it being operating separately and also because there was not the structural, financial and organizational support of the Olympic Committee. Despite being there competing, Sydney's candidacy had more work than her competitors because of this lack of support. <ref name="Hartung-Rocket Fuel" />

The APC's arguments had previously been used successfully when they convinced former Prime Minister [[Bob Hawke]] to sponsor the foundation of the APF: nobody imagined that Australia would consolidate itself in the Paralympic movement in the same way as in the Olympic movement, or even that this would be done in just sxsix years. As a courtesy from the NSW Government, APC would gain an office at the New South Wales Sport House.<ref name="Hartung-Rocket Fuel" />

The late Adrienne Smith, who was then working as the executive secretary of the APC, sat down at a table with several consultants of the SOBC: in just eight weeks, Smith and the SOBC drew up the bid project that would be handed over to the IPC executive board in a meeting scheduled for [[Lillehammer]], [[Norway]]. In a surprise action, the APF managed to add the letters of intent signed by the prime minister, the governor of NSW, and the mayor of Sydney.

After the win, Smith – now executive manager of the SPBC – commented that "we couldn't go public because if we did it would have ruined the Olympic bid. We had no acknowledgement of financial support from the government until the day of the bid in September 1993."<ref name=argus/>

Between these actions, Smith, Finneran, and members of SOBC also ensured in a letter to the IOC, IPC and Australian and New South Wales authorities that if Sydney won both bids, the Paralympic athletes would have the same treatment, conditions and support as their Olympic counterparts as happened in Barcelona, but in a better and innovative way. This was unprecedented, and would become a turning point for the Paralympic Games.<ref name=argus>{{cite news|last=Horton|first=Luke|title=Adrienne's amazing Olympics bid effort|url=http://www.macleayargus.com.au/news/local/news/general/adriennes-amazing-olympics-bid-effort/2179989.aspx|access-date=26 June 2012|newspaper=Macleay Argus|date=31 March 2011}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

TheAs the host city contract signed in September 1993,the 2000 Summer Paralympic Games were governed and overseen by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), led by them-President [[Robert Steadward]]. The Games were organised by the Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee (SPOC) led by President [[John Grant (neurosurgeon)|Dr John Grant]] and chief executive officer [[Lois Appleby]]. The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games Organizing Committee (SOCOG) was established at the same time and in the act of its creation,SPOC was absorbed as subsidiary company within its structure.The Sydney 2000 Summer Paralympic Games Organizing Committee (SPOC) beganwere operatingestablished onin November 12, 1993, shortly after the approval and feasibility of its budget.The autorization to start the works come from the Australian Government Office of Olympic Co-ordination. In January 1995, SPOC and SOCOG became public companies controlled by the Sydneysame localcreation Government, receiving support by both State and Commonwealth Governmentsact. TheEven twothough companiesit had thea samedifferent board of directors composed of members appointed by Premierhistory, Minister for the Olympics, the Federal Treasurer and the Minister for Sports and Recreation who conducted the joint administration. As their Olympic counterpart,the SPOC was responsibleabsorbed foras planninga andsubsidiary stagingof theSOCOG Sydneybut 2000with Paralympica Gamesbigger includingautonomy thewith ticketsseparate and information services, the disability categorisation, converting Olympic venues to Paralympic venues, conducting public events, facilitating drug testing, arranging broadcasting, housing for athletes, arranging medal ceremonies, transportingbudget athletesforecasts and conducting the Paralympic torch relaysubsidies.In Alongits thefirst IPC, the SPOC also had the responsibilities to regulated the useyear of Paralympicoperation Games brandSOCOG and images.SPOC Subsequently,actions awere joint-venturecarried Committee was created by the Olympic Coordinating Authority (OCA) looking toout independently.

OnAfter 23the Januarymerger 1997,of the Internationaltwo Paralympicentities,the CommitteeOCA realized appointedthat the Spaniardtwo XavierOrganizing GonzalesCommittees ashad Generalactions Managerand ofproblems Sportsin andcommon. CompetitionBut, Venues.while Hethe hadorganizers heldof the sameOlympics roleshad duringmore experience due to being involved with previous editions, those of the BarcelonaParalympics Olympichad andmuch Paralympicgreater Gamesdifficulties, indue 1992to andseveral alsofactors. atThe OCA decided that it would be better to mediate the Atlantapotential Summerconflicts Paralympicsthat inwould 1996occur,supervising morecreating thana 3Joint thousandRisk athletesManagement Committee for those areas in 21common competitionbetween venuesthe andtwo alsoevents, who started to work in supplementary/auxiliaryJune ones1997. GonzalesOn was29 alsoNovember responsibleof forthe finalizingsame the sportingSydney program,2000 theGames finalAdministration calendar ofwas passed at the Gamesparliament. togetherThis sharedspecific responsibilitylegislative withact eachforced the dissolution of the managersSOCOG and SPOC from each1 sportJanuary 2001,and venue.their Dueassets and liabilities were transferred to the specificsOlympic ofCoordination yourAuthority work,Gonzales(OCA) who was the onlyFrom non-Australianthat tomoment occupyon, ashe positionbecame inresponsible for managing the Organizinglegacy Committeeof both events.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wwwsearch.sydneyrecords.olympicnsw.orggov.au/mediaagencies/review/1997/0206.htm3486 |title=Sydney Paralympic GamesOrganising AppointmentCommittee (SPOC) |publisher=SOOCOGNSW andGovernment SPOCState Records |date=231 January 19972001 |access-date=1522 JulyAugust 20222015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/1997102308202020151018092401/http://wwwsearch.sydneyrecords.olympicnsw.orggov.au/mediaagencies/review/1997/0206.htm3486 |archive-date=2318 October 1997 2015}}</ref>

The Sydney 2000 Summer Paralympic was only the sixth time that the Summer Paralympics were hosted at the same city as the Olympic Games and the fifth time that they were organized by a different organizing committee. Contrary to what was expected, the 16 days of transition between the Games (2 to 18 October 2000) were very tense for the Sydneylocal and New South Walesstate authorities. SomeThe hoursmorning after the endingclosing ceremony of Olympicsthe ClosingOlympic CeremoniesGames, It was turned publicannounced that thethrough a joint decision, SOCOG and the city hallauthorities jointlyhad decidedagreed to remove the giganticgiant Olympic rings fromthat were illuminated during the 16-day Olympic Games on the [[Sydney Harbour Bridge|Harbour Bridge]]. This decision ended up overshadowing the Aboriginal ritual in which the Paralympic torch would be lit at the foot of [[Australian Parliament]] Hill in [[Canberra]]. A few hours later, the chairman of SOCOG, [[Michael Knight (Australian politician)|Michael Knight]], publicly announced that he would no longer participate in all public events related to the Paralympic Games. For the Australian public opinion, this was seen this decision was frowned upon and was also seen as an insensitive, authoritarian, and self-centred attitude towards the Paralympic Games. Subsequently, SOCOG markedscheduled for a next day a public celebration dedicated to the volunteers who worked for the success of the Games. However, the local authorities knew that this celebration would coincide with the arrival of the Paralympic torch in the city and refused to re-mark this celebration. With a few months to go until the opening ceremony, SOCOG was taken by surprise,when they found out behind the scenes that the pop diva [[Kylie Minogue]] and group [[Yothu Yindi]] were going to headline the Paralympic opening ceremonies. Some hours before this announcement becomes public, the Olympic organisers, quickly made an invitation to Minogue and Yothu Yindi to participate at the Opening Ceremonies. But, it was already known in Australia that Minogue was not able to be at the country on that week, because she had a full schedule in Europe to promote the upcoming release from the [[Light Years (Kylie Minogue album)|''Light Years'' album scheduled for the upcoming week]] and wouldn't have time to get to Sydney before the ceremony. Kylie and her crew performed at the Olympics Closing Ceremonies instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/oct/09/worlddispatch.comment2|title=Don't forget 'les autres'|publisher=Patrick Barkham|date=9 October 2000|access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref>

The situations experienced in Atlanta and Nagano regarding the visual identities of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in which they clashed and led to numerous problems and lawsuits and a lack of identification and differentiation by athletes, local communities and spectators. Due to these issues,for the first time a games overlay program was developed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sydney 2000 Post-Paralympic Games Report|publisher=[[Sydney Paralympics Organizing Committee]]|year=2001|url=http://www.gamesinfo.com.au/postgames/pa/contents_para.htm|access-date=12 May 2023|archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040915162957/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/13323/20020919-0000/www.gamesinfo.com.au/postgames/pa/contents_para.htm|archive-date=15 September 2004|url-status=live}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Between 1997 and 1999 a specific and different visual identity for the Paralympics was developed, but due to internal administrative and financial issues at the Olympic Organizing Committee who that made the applications simpler and integrated them with the Paralympic Games. An example of this integration was the creation of 8 new specific paralympic sporting pictograms. Another integration in common was the use of the blue colour, the mark "Sydney 2000" and the graphics works called "fluid energy". However, with new elements now in eucalyptus green.a A survey with managers of competitions and arenas about possible changes in the visual identity during the Paralympics. The vast majority opted for maintaining the one used during the Olympics. However minor changes had to be made in almost all marks and elements on all playing fields and information boards, which gave the impression that the two events were part of the same. Only in drastic cases, such as the three basketball and wheelchair rugby arenas, there was a need to change the floors of the courts that had the Olympic brand.

The solution for the changes of marks was simple due the low budget used. They covered with stickers in which the SOCOG and IOC brands were covered by the SPOC and IPC brands, lowering costs. Another plan was relocating that elements who were in using conditions to other areas. For this to happen, a list of priority locations was created, based on the profile of each sport and also on their maintenance costs. On average, each received AU$5,000, with the most expensive amount invested in the Olympic Stadium being AU$80,000. The original values were because of the reuse of most of the visual aspects of the Olympic Games, which were mostly made of recycled fabrics, as cardboards and another materials. Soon after adjustments and the final requirements made in the game areas and the common festive areas, made after the execution of the projects or else technical-operational requirements, they were handed over to the respective operational managers. Another change was that not a penny was spent on the readjustment of the 5 competition venues outside the Olympic Park. Because these were the last to be executed and received leftovers from the materials used for the Olympic Park. In addition, there was no need to prepare a specific project for them and only opted for changing the brands, just only covering the olympicsOlympics signals. However, at Sydney Olympic Park, a keen trouble happened. In order for their Paralympic mode to be implemented and executed a last moment. Near about 2/3 of the plates and identification signs were removed in its conversion in an intention to facilitate the operations during the Paralympics and some project demands had to be changed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sydney 2000 Post-Paralympic Games Report|publisher=[[Sydney Paralympics Organizing Committee]]|year=2001|url=http://www.gamesinfo.com.au/postgames/pa/contents_para.htm|access-date=12 May 2023|archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040915162957/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/13323/20020919-0000/www.gamesinfo.com.au/postgames/pa/contents_para.htm|archive-date=15 September 2004|url-status=live}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

The Victorian agency was already involved with all the visual planning for both the Olympics and the Paralympics and unified several visual elements of the two events such as the pictograms, the street signals and the trademarks under the name of "Sydney 2000".The 2000 Summer Paralympic Games logo was a representative of a dynamic human form leaping triumphantly forward and 'breaking through' towards the games.<ref name="Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences">{{cite web |url=https://ma.as/503001 |title=Collection of posters for the Sydney Paralympic Games |author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences |access-date=10 February 2023 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}</ref>

The logo came to life with the design of the Paralympic torch and with the visual identity of the event that was focused on the energy dissipated by the paralympic athletes. It represents the energy dissipated by a paralympic athlete when "breaking a barrier" or a "wall of bricks, concrete or glass".This is also reflected in the Paralympic spirit, composed at the time by the motto of "body, mind and spirit".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ma.as/10770 |title=Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games torch with packaging |author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences |access-date=10 February 2023 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}</ref>

Another image that can be seen in it is the Paralympic torch that is in a handover position for the next carrier in inspiring views to the world and the future with the use of [[Futura (typeface)|Futura Typeface]] to write the games, host city's and year's names. The host's unique characteristics are seen in the fact that it also refers to the [[Sydney Opera House]] and [[Port Jackson|Sydney Harbour]] with its sea and the boats that are part of the most famous cityscape around the world, through the use of three graphic shapes who refer to this feature. The agency even developed unique tones of the 3 colours of the Paralympic flag to represent unique characteristics of the host country: the blue represented the two oceans that bathe Australia: the [[Indian Ocean]] and the [[Pacific Ocean]], the warm red of the [[Outback]] and a lush forest green which represent the [[Forests of Australia|Australia's endemic plants and animal species]]. The logo also embodies the host city vitality, Australia's spirit, and the achievements of a Paralympic athlete.<ref name="Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences"/>

The comprehensive signage strategy, a design application specifically for the Paralympic Games, was fully connected to ticket design and layout and used a much simpler visual system, based on the Games logo, where the graphics were much larger.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sydney 2000 Post-Paralympic Games Report |publisher=[[Sydney Paralympics Organizing Committee]] |year=2001 |url=http://www.gamesinfo.com.au/postgames/pa/contents_para.htm |access-date=12 May 2023 |archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040915162957/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/13323/20020919-0000/www.gamesinfo.com.au/postgames/pa/contents_para.htm |archive-date=15 September 2004 |url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

The opening ceremony commenced on Wednesday 18 October at 8.00 pm with over 6000 performers and volunteers taking part.<ref name="ref9">{{cite book |last=Brittain |first=Ian |year=2012 |title=From Stoke-Mandeville to Stratford: A History of the Summer Paralympic Games|publisher= Illinois: Common Ground}}</ref> The show started by the Australian wheelchair artist [[Jeff St John|Jeffrey St. John]] sang the national anthem "[[Advance Australia Fair]]" and "The Challenge" at. The 2-hours and half ceremonies ended when [[Kylie Minogue]] take the stage with a special acapella version of "[[Waltzing Matilda]]" special version, her rendition of [[Celebration (Kool & the Gang song)|Kool & the Gang's "Celebration"]] and her current hit "[[Spinning Around]]".World-know Australian actor [[Bryan Brown]] was selectedacted as ceremonythe narrator for the eveningevent. OtherAmong [[Yothu Yindi]] performers for the Opening Ceremony included the bands [[Yothu Yindi]] and [[Taxiride]], with [[Nathan Cavaleri]], [[Melissa Ippolito (actress)|Melissa Ippolito]], [[Billy Thorpe]], [[Jack Thompson (actor)|Jack Thompson]], the singers [[Renee Geyer]], [[Tina Harris (Australian musician)|Tina Harris]], [[Vanessa Amorosi]] and the cultural part was opened by [[Christine Anu]]. Australian country artist [[Graeme Connors]] sang his song "Being Here", as the event's official theme song. Addresses were given by [[John Grant (neurosurgeon)|John Grant]], president of the SPOC, and [[Robert Steadward]], president of the IPC, prior to Sir [[William Deane]] declaring the official opening of the games. This was followed by [[Tracey Cross]], a blind swimmer, taking the oath on behalf of the athletes and Mary Longden, an Equestrian referee, taking the oath on behalf of the officials.

TheHowever, closingthe ceremonyfollowing tookday placethe oncriticism Sundayand 29public Octoberscolding at 7.30 pmcame. The athletesGreek intermingled with other nationsgovernment and took to the stageOrganizing forCommittee aof partythe fillednext withedition fire,issued emotiona andstatement celebration.that As"as therea wereresult severalof uncertaintiesthe aboutintervention whetherinitiated Athensby wouldthe beIOC ablein tothe hostmanagement theof nextAthens games2004, theyany hadkind notof yetnegotiation signedbetween the hostparties citywas contractsuspended and, werebut inthat the midstcity ofwould publicindeed disagreements betweenhost the IPCParalympic itselfGames, andbut thethat IOCsome overclauses delaysin relatedthe toproposed acontract lotcould ofnot legalbe issues.guaranteed Dueand towould this,only severalbe changesgiven were made toafter the protocol.conclusion Theof firstnew wasrounds thatof thenegotiations".Thus, GreekAthens hymnCity wasHall notfound performeditself duringin the ceremoniesmiddle andof noa referencecrossfire tobetween Athensthe orOrganizing GreeceCommittee was made inand the performancescentral andgovernment theof finalGreece speeches.and Asas a sign of repudiationgoodwill ofas the heaviestonly criticismsparty madethat sowas farnot byin internationalconflict entities,regarding the [[Athensorganization Organizingof Committeethe fornext theSummer OlympicParalympics, Games]]decided (ATHOC) andat the Greeklast governmentminute boycottedto the ceremonies insend a counterpartsmall action. As a signdelegation of goodwillcouncillors forand the resumptionmembers of talks between all stakeholders, Athens was responsible for mediating the conflict,mayor's sending a smalloffice.This delegation to Sydney,was led by the then-deputy mayor [[Nikos Yiatrakos]], whoto receivedreceive the Paralympic flag on behalf of allthe ofcity Greeceduring (sincethe closing ceremony. As the protocolhost determinedcity thatcontract had not been signed and the [[Hellenic Paralympic Committee]] woulddid receivenot exist until the flag,following butyear. itThe didceremonial protocol was adapted and the greek anthem was not existperformed untilduring the followingceremony. year),This goodwill action implyingshowed that Greece had accepted the criticisms that had been made about the organizationslowness of management surrounding the Paralympicsnext summer Games and contrary to what was said, the Greek authorities demonstrated that they were still open to talkinghosting andthe negotiatingGames, theeven resolutionwith ofall the issuesreported thatproblems stilland preventedwanted theto legalresolve securitythem ofand give an advice to the world that "the 2004 SummerGames Paralympicswould be held in Athens, Greece". To ensure there wasn't a gap in this part of the ceremony, the Australian producers invited the Millennium Choir of the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia]] to perform some typical Greek musicsongs. The music chosen by the conductor was "Tis ikiosinis ilie" ("Sun of Justice", from the movie soundtrack ''[[Zorba the Greek (film)|Zorba the Greek]]'').<ref>{{cite web |title=Paralympic Committee shames Athens with ultimatum |url=https://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s198312.htm |website=ABC Australia |access-date=21 September 2022}}</ref> .To close the ceremonies, the first Australian group to make international success outside the country, [[The Seekers]], closed the games with "[[The Carnival Is Over]]". Due to an accident some days before the event resulting in a broken hip, the singer [[Judith Durham]] sang the song sitting in a [[wheelchair]].<ref name="ref9" />

*[[Sydney Showground (Olympic Park)|Sydney Showground Pavilions]]:ID Basketball, Goalball, Wheelchair Basketball (secondary venue), Judo,Wheelchair Rugby, Powerlifiting, Wheelchair Fencing, Sitting Volleyball and Standing Volleyball

After visiting each capital city (except Sydney) by air and land in counterclockwise a way, the torch entered [[New South Wales]] (NSW) from [[Moss Vale]] through the [[Southern Highlands (New South Wales)|Southern Highlands]], [[Illawarra]], [[Campbelltown, New South Wales|Campbelltown]], [[Penrith, New South Wales|Penrith]], [[Windsor, New South Wales|Windsor]], [[Hunter Region|Hunter]] and [[Central Coast (New South Wales)|Central Coast]] areas before heading to Sydney Metropolitan Region.

[[Tim Sullivan (athlete)|Tim Sullivan]] topped the track and field medal tally with five gold medals. Sullivan won three gold medals in the T38 200m, 100m, and 400m events, and won two gold medals in relay events alongside [[Darren Thrupp]], [[Adrian Grogan]] and [[Kieran Ault-Connell]] (T38 4X400m and 4X100m races). The top performing female track and field athlete was [[Lisa Llorens]], who won three gold medals from the F20 high jump, long jump and T20 200m. Llorens also won a silver medal in the T20 100m.

* [[File:Chinese Taipei Paralympic Flag (pre1994-2004).svg|24px]] [[Chinese Taipei at the 2000 Summer Paralympics|Chinese Taipei]] (25)

{{commons category|2000 Summer Paralympics}}

[[Category:Summer Paralympic Games by year|2000]]