1 October, 2000

Here is a synopsis of the closing ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

They were attended by 105,000 people

Two lawnmowers went around the arena with performers chasing them around (?!?)

The song "Island Home" was sung by Christine Anu, accompanied by 37 dancers

International Olympic Committee flags were brought in, followed by the flags from the nations that competed. After that, the athletes entered, led by the 300 gold medalists

Savage Garden sang "Affirmation."

Next was the raising of the Greek and Australian Flags, and the national Anthems of both countries were sung by The Millennium Children’s Choir while their respective flags were being raised.

Next were the official speeches, the first by Michael Knight – President Sydney 20000, and the second by Juan Antonio Samaranch - Pres. of International Olympic Committee

Next was the presentation of the eight athlete members of the IOC, who were elected by the athletes that participate in the Olympics. However, they were all from European and North American nations. I think that it would be more effective if they elected at least one from each continent, and the other three could be from anywhere.

After that, the mayor of Athens came out for the official handover of the Olympic Flag.

Before the actual handover happened, there were ladies dressed as Greek princesses do some ancient Greek rituals.

Frank Sodder, the Lord Mayor of Sydney, brought out the flag, waved it around and handed it to the Mayor of Athens. It will be kept in the Athens town hall until the games begin. This particular flag has been used since the Seoul Olympics in 1988. It was a present to the IOC from Seoul and is made out of Korean silk. The ladies dressed in Greek costumes hold up the 4 corners of the flag and 5 Olive branches are laid on the flag to symbolize peace among the 5 continents.

The Olympic games are declared closed.

Yvonne Kenny sings the Olympic theme. I hadn’t a clue that there was an Olympic theme that could be sung. Also, she was an opera singer, with a beautiful voice, but I couldn’t understand the words.

11 members of the Aussie Olympic team escorted the flag out of the stadium.

Nikki Webster, the 13-year-old from the opening ceremony, sang a song and the Olympic flame was put out. Right after it went out, there was a fly by with an F1-11, which was followed by fireworks

That was followed by Vanessa Amorosi singing "Absolutely Everybody."

After that, 960 Ballroom dancers danced to John Paul Young sings "Love is in the Air"

Next was the music part with the following performers:

• Tommy & Phil Emmanual – two famous Aussie guitarists
• INXS – sang "what you need"
• Jimmy Barnses – sang "Working Class Man" and the stage was transformed into a giant barbecue.
• Midnight Oil
• Yotu Yindi - Aboriginal music
• Bondi Beach lifeguards with Nikki Webster wheeled out on a float. Then they helped her up on a surfboard to the stage, where she sang.
• Kylie Minogue sings Dancing Queen

Finally there was a parade with famous Aussies on floats:

• First was an electronic wheeled shark was brought out and with a professional Aussie golfer (Greg someone)
• Next was a float for Bananas in Pajamas – an Aussie kids show
• On the next float was Elle McPherson doing her "model strut"
• Next was Paul Hogan, on an Aussie hat float, surrounded by people dressed in animal costumes (crocodiles, crabs on bicycles and emus on scooters)
• Next were Lillie Gardner and Tom Chappel.
• After that was Men At Work on a float singing "Land Down Under"
• Finally was Slim Dusty singing "Waltzing Matilda."

It ended with the above mentioned stage folding into a giant 8-sided figure that said:

"Bye from Oz"

"See ya in Athens"