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Sports Russia. Sports Russia Russia at the XXVII Summer Olympics

Sports Russia. Sports Russia Russia at the XXVII Summer Olympics

16.09.2021

2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney

Preparation for the Sydney Olympics

The elections for the capital of the XVII Summer Olympic Games in 2000 took place on September 23, 1993 in Monte Carlo. The Australian city of Sydney was chosen as the venue. The games were held from September 15 to October 1, 2000.

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Preparations for the Olympics lasted over two years. The official mascots of the games were rare animals in Australia: Ollie the kookaburra (a bird from the kingfisher family, known for its cry that resembles human laughter), the platypus Sid and the echidna Milli.

The opening ceremony

Opening ceremony of the XXVII Olympic Games took place on September 15, 2000 at the Australia Stadium. The opening was attended by over 110 thousand spectators. The main motives for the script were the stages in the history of Australia. The highlight of the show was the water show, symbolizing the close relationship of the Australian people with the sea.

opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Sydney 2000

Sydney Olympics Opening

The traditional parade of nations consisted of 198 delegations from 199 participating countries and included 12,600 athletes and officials. For the first time at the Olympic Games, North and South Korea marched in a parade as a single delegation under a flag depicting the contours of the Korean Peninsula. The Olympic flame was lit by Australian athlete Catty Freeman.

Olympic achievements

At the Games, 300 sets of medals were played in 28 sports. For the first time in Olympic program included triathlon, taekwondo and trampoline jumping. The largest number of medals was won by athletes from the USA (92), Russia (89), China (58), Australia (58), Germany (56), France (38), Italy (34), the Netherlands (25), Cuba (29), Great Britain (28).

The most titled athletes at the Games were gymnast A. Nemov (Russia, won 2 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals) and swimmer J. Thorpe (Australia, won 3 gold and 2 silver medals).

Swimmers L. Kreiselburg (USA, 3 gold medals), D. Fioravanti (Italy, 2 gold medals), M. Klim (Australia, 2 gold medals), P. van den Hoogenband (Netherlands, 2 gold medals), I de Bruin (Netherlands, 3 gold), J. Thompson (USA, 3 gold medals).

The English rower S. Redgrave became the owner of a unique achievement - he won gold medals at five Olympics in a row.

Australian runner C. Freeman won the 400m race, becoming the first indigenous Australian to win the gold Olympic medal.

The Cameroon football team won the first Olympic gold medal in the history of the country.

Ukrainian athlete N. Milchev set a world record at the trap shooting competition at the round stand, knocking out 150 targets out of 150.

In addition to outstanding sporting achievements 2000 Games are also known for the number of doping scandals.

Russian runner I. Pospelova, Romanian gymnast A. Radukan, German stayer D. Bauman were convicted of doping. The analysis showed the presence of doping in the body of the Bulgarian and Romanian weightlifters. Already in 2007, a scandal broke out related to the use of doping during Sydney Games American athlete M. Jones. She was stripped of three gold medals.

Closing ceremony

The closing ceremony took place on October 1, 2000... The ceremony was attended by famous Australian performers: Yvonne Kenny, who sang the Olympic anthem, Kylie Minogue, Nikki Webster and others.

A parade of athletes took place, in which they were not divided by country, but all together, symbolizing Olympic unity.

The Olympic banner was solemnly presented to the Mayor of Athens, the capital of the following Olympic Games.

The ceremony ended with a grandiose fireworks display.

From September 15 to October 1, 2000, the Games of the XXVII Olympiad were held in Sydney, Australia. The Games were attended by 10,651 athletes from 199 countries. 300 sets of medals were played in 28 sports. For the first time, triathlon, taekwondo and trampoline jumping are included in the Olympic program.

The flag of Russia at the opening ceremony of the Games was first carried by a representative of a game sport - handball goalkeeper Andrei Lavrov. The handball players did not disappoint - the Russian national team won gold, largely thanks to Lavrov's phenomenal play in the final against the Swedes.

The most titled Russian athlete at the Games was gymnast Alexei Nemov - 2 gold, 1 silver and three bronze medals. Wrestlers, sports gymnasts and athletes brought the most medals to the Russian team.

Among Russian athletes also achieved the highest results: Irina Privalova - gold medal in 400 m hurdles, Dmitry Sautin - four medals in diving - gold, silver and two bronze, Evgeny Kafelnikov - gold medal in singles in tennis, the saber team won a gold medal, and the men's national handball team won a gold medal.
Synchronized swimming masters Olga Brusnikina and Maria Kiseleva become two-time Olympic champions Games in Sydney.

At the Games in Sydney, for the first time, they were allowed to perform in special swimming suits. 17-year-old Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe in a fast leather suit became the main star of the men's swimming program - he won three gold medals (400 m freestyle, relay 4x100 and 4x200 freestyle) and two silver (200 m freestyle, complex relay race).

For the first time, mandatory doping tests for eretropoietin (EPO) in the blood were introduced.

199 countries. 10,651 athletes (4,069 women). 28 kinds of sports. Leaders in the unofficial team event: 1. USA (37-24-31); 2. Russia (32-28-28); 3. China (28-16-15)

The opening ceremony of the XXVII Olympic Games took place on September 15, 2000 at the Australia Stadium in the presence of 110,000 spectators. The show was directed by Australian Rick Birch. The ceremony was attended by 12,600 performers, the total weight of the lighting and sound equipment exceeded 99 tons. The main motives for the performance were the stages of the history of Australia, the colorful show included elements of a water extravaganza, symbolizing the close connection of the Australian people with the sea.

The traditional parade of nations consisted of 198 delegations with 199 countries participating in the Olympics, North and South Korea marched in the parade as a single delegation under the flag depicting the contours of the Korean Peninsula. Afghanistan was the only member of the IOC who refused to come to the Games - the ban was imposed by the ruling Taliban movement.

Following the solemn speeches delivered by the Chairman of the Games Organizing Committee Michael Knight and IOC President H.A. Samaranch, the Governor General of Australia, William Dean, declared the Games open.

The Olympic flag was raised to the sound of the Olympic anthem. The final chord of the ceremony was the lighting of the Olympic flame. The honor of igniting was given to Australian athlete Catty Freeman.

For the first time, triathlon, taekwondo and trampoline jumping are included in the Olympic program.

The first set of Olympic medals was played in bullet shooting, in the female air rifle shooting. American Nancy Johnson won gold.

The flag of Russia at the opening ceremony of the Games was first carried by a representative of a game sport - handball goalkeeper Andrei Lavrov. In the history of Soviet Olympism, representatives of team sports were also not awarded this honor. The handball players did not disappoint - the Russian national team won gold, largely thanks to Lavrov's phenomenal play in the final against the Swedes.

The most titled Russian athlete at the Games was gymnast Alexei Nemov - 2 gold, 1 silver and three bronze medals.

Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe became the main star of the men's swimming program - he won three gold medals (400 m freestyle, 4x100 and 4x200 freestyle relays) and two silver (200 m freestyle, complex relay). American Lenny Kreiselburg has won three gold medals. Two golds were won by Italian Domenico Fioravanti, Australian Michael Klim and Dutchman Peter van den Hugenband, and the latter won both gold (100 and 200 m freestyle), overtaking the great swimmers Alexander Popov and Jan Thorpe both times. In women, the Dutchwoman Inge de Bruin scored 3 gold (50 and 100 m freestyle and 100 m butterfly) and the American Jenny Thompson - 3 gold in the relay races won by the Americans.

Having won gold in the four swing without helmsman, English rower Stephen Redgrave became the owner of a unique achievement - he won gold medals at five Olympics in a row.

Australian runner Catty Freeman won the 400m race, making her the first athlete in history to win a race at the same Olympics that lit the Olympic flame.

Cameroon's football team gold became the first Olympic gold medal in the history of this country.

Dutchwoman Leontien van Morsel won three gold medals in cycling, and won both road races (group and individual), she won the third gold on the track - in individual race persecution.

American Marion Jones, having won three golds in the 100 and 200 meters, as well as in the 4x400 meters relay, had a real chance to win the fourth gold in the 4x100 meters relay, but the US team unexpectedly lost to the teams of the Bahamas and Jamaica. However, in 2007, a scandal erupted over her doping use. M. Jones was stripped of all medals, the gold in the 100 and 200 meters was left vacant, the gold medal in the 4x400 relay and the bronze medal in the 4x100 meter relay were left to the American team.

At the trap shooting competition at the round stand, the Ukrainian athlete Nikolai Milchev set an eternal world record, knocking out 150 targets out of 150. This record can only be repeated, but not surpassed.

During the Olympics, the wife of Juan-Antonio Samaranch died, after a four-day absence, the head of the IOC returned to Sydney. The Olympic flag was lowered as a sign of mourning.

Favorite of the competition rhythmic gymnastics Alina Kabaeva made a gross mistake in her performance with a hoop and took only third place.

The closing ceremony took place on October 1 at the same stadium as the opening ceremony and again with a full house. The musical part of the ceremony was attended by such famous performers as Yvonne Kenny (soprano), who sang the Olympic anthem, Kylie Minogue, Nikki Webster, the Savage Garden duo and others.

By tradition, the athletes took part in another parade, but this time they were not divided by country, but all together, symbolizing Olympic unity.

IOC President H. A. Samaranch congratulated Sydney and all of Australia on the successful hosting of the Games and traditionally called them the best in history.

The Olympic flag was lowered from the flagpole and the Olympic Challenge Banner was solemnly presented to the Mayor of Athens, the capital of the next Games.

After the Games were officially declared closed, the Olympic flame was extinguished. The ceremony ended with a grandiose fireworks display.

7. Slide. The name of the Olympiad.

Games of the 27 Summer Olympics
Host City: Sydney, Australia
Opening Ceremony: September 15, 2000 (opened by Governor General William Patrick Dean)
Period of passing games: from September 13 to October 1, 2000
Youngest member: Fatima Hameed Gerashi (Bahrain, age: 12)
Oldest Member: Bruce Meredith (US Virgin Islands, Age: 63)

About 11,000 athletes and 5100 officials from 199 countries took part in them, 300 sets of medals were played in 28 sports.

8. Slide Talismans. Poster.

Mascot of the XXVII Summer Olympic Games.
The mascots are: Olly, Syd & Millie - kookaburra bird, platypus and echidna
Ollie was chosen for the Olympics, Sid for Sydney, and Millie for the 2000 Millennium Games.

Ollie the kookabara bird ,the platypus Sid and the echidna Milli- animals that are found only in Australia and symbolize the three elements: air, earth and fire.

9. Slide. Olympic pictograms. Each country develops.

10. Slide. Medals.

11. Slide. The opening ceremony.

 The Olympic flame was lit at Olympia on June 8, 2000 and brought to Sydney on September 15. The torch of the Sydney Olympics is one of the longest in the history of modern Olympics. The torch was delivered by 10,000 Australians. Each moved a distance of about a kilometer. It was delivered by foot, train, bicycle, horseback, ship, plane, kayak, canoe, Sydney ferry.

The only member of the IOC (International Olympic Committee) who refused to come to the Games was Afghanistan - the ban was imposed by the ruling Taliban movement.

To the sounds Olympic anthem the Olympic flag was raised. The final chord of the ceremony was the lighting of the Olympic flame. The honor of igniting was given to Australian athlete Catty Freeman

The first stars of the 27th Olympiad were athletes carrying the flags of their countries. Among them, of course, the teams of North and South Korea stood out, for the first time in 50 years marching under the same flag, which showed a map of the peninsula.

Another politically significant moment in this sporting event was the appearance of boxer Victor Ramos from East Timor, who recently gained independence. Ramos was walking under the white Olympic flag.

The appearance under the Stars and Stripes American flag of the athlete Cliff Meidl, who once competed in kayak races, was very touching. 14 years ago, an accident happened to him - he received an electric shock of 30 thousand volts. Doctors fought for his life, and now, years later, he returned to the Olympic arena, solemnly carrying the flag of his country.

The flag of Russia was entrusted to the goalkeeper of the handball team Andrey Lavrov- two-time Olympic champion, two-time world champion, European champion. Before him, the flag of Russia and the Soviet Union in Seoul, Barcelona and Atlanta was worn by Alexander Karelin.

12. Slide. Green games.

After analyzing a number of different proposals, in December 1996 the organizers decided to use energy-saving technologies and solar energy in the Olympic Village to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The Athletic Village, which includes 650 buildings and structures, is now considered the world's largest solar-powered urban quarter.

The Olympic Village is located in the Nevington residential area in the Olympic Park adjacent to Sydney and covers 100 hectares. The Olympic Village was designed and built to accommodate 10,200 competitors and 5,100 delegation officials at the same time. It consists of 1,150 modular buildings. The issues of environmental protection are carefully thought out and taken into account. Solar energy is used to the maximum. Solar energy is used not only to generate electricity, but also to heat sanitary water by means of "solar" boilers, which are converted to gas during periods of weak sunshine. In the Olympic Village, solar energy is also used to power a modern outdoor lighting system and in addition to all power supply systems for environmental monitoring installations.

The equipment of the buildings was made taking into account the composition of the participants and delegates, as well as national cultures. Meals were provided in a comprehensive manner, in restaurants. The apartments of the athletes and delegates did not have kitchen sets. After the end of the Games of the 27th Olympiad, the apartments were equipped with kitchen utensils and put up for sale.

Based on the experience of the previous Olympic Games, participants and delegates are provided with ample opportunities for free time and recreation directly in the Olympic Village. The Village's location provided residents with easy access to Sydney Olympic Park and Sydney City. About 220 countries of the world - 3.5 billion TV viewers, could watch the Olympic Games. Up to 6,000 journalists were accredited for the Olympics and resided in a dedicated Media Village.

13. Slide. Olympic facilities. Swimming pool.

Olympic Swimming Pool The Sydney International Aquatics Center, opened in 1994, was the first facility built in preparation for the Olympic Games. The facility, which cost $ 380 million to build, was commissioned before the Games, and during the Games was used to host competitions in swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and water polo. This is one of the world's largest indoor facilities of this type, equipped with an air conditioning system that is able to provide comfortable conditions in different operating modes simultaneously in the auditorium area and the swimming pool area in strict accordance with the regulations of the International Swimming Federation

14. Slide. Olympic Boulevard.

It should be emphasized that Australia is the country with the highest growth rates for skin cancer. According to some experts, this phenomenon is due to the fact that by its location the continent is closest to the ozone hole that forms in Antarctica every Australian spring. However, we must not forget that the population of Australia, which has, in principle, white skin, is more susceptible to the harmful effects of intense solar radiation, which is characteristic of this geographic region.

According to the final report of the organization (Greenpeace) GREENPIES, the overall result of the Olympic Games from an environmental point of view can certainly be considered positive, although some significant goals have not been achieved.

15. Slide. Velodrome.

The Velodrome, which seats 6,000, has been designed to eliminate any need for air conditioning. Conditions for comfortable well-being are provided by the regulation of natural ventilation and natural light.

16. Slide. Stadium.

The Super Arena, an indoor stadium with 20,000 seats for basketball, tennis and other sports competitions, is equipped with a solar power system consisting of 1,176 photovoltaic solar panels made on galvanized steel strips with amorphous silicon photovoltaic cells coated with polymer material. The panels are laid on top of a flat metal floor and in total can cover up to 10% of the facility's energy needs.

17. Slide. Olympic heroes.

For the first time, triathlon, taekwondo, etc. have been included in the Olympic program.

The first set of Olympic medals was played in bullet shooting, in women's air rifle shooting. American Nancy Johnson won gold.

Let me remind you that the Russian flag at the opening ceremony of the Games was first carried by a representative of a game sport - handball goalkeeper Andrei Lavrov. In the history of Soviet Olympism, representatives of team sports were also not awarded this honor. The handball players did not disappoint - the Russian national team won gold, largely thanks to Lavrov's phenomenal play in the final against the Swedes.

The most titled Russian athlete at the Games was gymnast Alexei Nemov - 2 gold, 1 silver and three bronze medals.

Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe became the main star of the men's swimming program - he won three gold medals (400 m freestyle, 4x100 and 4x200 freestyle relays) and two silver (200 m freestyle, complex relay).The Olympic Committee has authorized the use of special swimming suits. Such a suit for Ian was made from "fast leather" material, designed specifically for the American amphibious assault.

American Lenny Kreiselburg has won three gold medals. Italian won two golds Domenico Fioravanti, Australian Michael Klim and Dutchman Peter van den Hoogenband, the latter winning both gold medals (100 and 200 m freestyle), overtaking the great swimmers Alexander Popov and Jan Thorpe both times. In women, Dutchwoman Inge de Bruin scored 3 gold (50 and 100 m freestyle and 100 m butterfly) and American Jenny Thompson - 3 gold in relay races won by the Americans.

Having won gold in rowing (as part of a four-swing rower without a helmsman), English rower Stephen Redgrave became the owner of a unique achievement - he won gold medals at five Olympics in a row.

Australian runner Katie Freeman won the 400m race, thus becoming the first athlete in history to win a race at the same Olympics she rocked.

The Cameroon national football team gold became the first Olympic gold medal in the history of this country.

Dutch woman Leontien van Morsel won three gold medals in cycling, and won both road races (group and individual), she won the third gold on the track - in the individual pursuit.

American Marion Jones, having won three golds in the 100 and 200 meters, as well as in the 4x400 meters relay, had a real chance to win the fourth gold in the 4x100 meters relay, but the US team unexpectedly lost to the teams of the Bahamas and Jamaica. However, in 2007, a scandal erupted over her doping use. M. Jones was deprived of all medals, the gold in the 100 and 200 meters was left vacant, the gold medal in the 4x400 relay and the bronze medal in the 4x100 meter relay were left to the American team.

During the Olympics, the wife of Juan Antonio Samaranch died, and after a four-day absence, the head of the IOC returned to Sydney. The Olympic flag was lowered as a sign of mourning.

The favorite of the rhythmic gymnastics competition Alina Kabaeva made a gross mistake in her performance with a hoop and took only third place.

In February 2010, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), after completing the relevant proceedings, announced the cancellation of the results of the performance of the Chinese gymnast Dong Fangxiao at the Sydney Olympics due to the fact that she was not eligible to participate in competitions due to age. The International Olympic Committee stripped the Chinese woman of the bronze medal, which she received in the team competition in artistic gymnastics, and the medal was awarded to the US team.

18. Slide. Closing ceremony.

At the closing ceremony of the last Millennium Olympics, IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch declared Sydney 2000 the best Olympics in history. But has Sydney become the best Games in the modern history of Russian sports - it is still difficult to say. Too much controversy has happened to our compatriots on the green continent. For some, Sydney 2000 turned out to be full of unfulfilled hopes and scandals, for others - great victories and holidays. Everyone who followed the Olympics made their own impression from the mosaic of thousands of events.

The closing ceremony took place on October 1 at the same stadium as the opening ceremony and again with a full house. The musical part of the ceremony was attended by such famous performers as Yvonne Kenny (soprano), who sang Olympic anthem, Kylie Minogue, Nikki Webster, Savage Garden duo and others.

By tradition, the athletes took part in another parade, but this time they were not divided by country, but all together, symbolizing Olympic unity.

The Olympic flag was lowered from the flagpole and the Olympic Challenge Banner was solemnly presented to the Mayor of Athens, the capital of the next Games (2004).

After the official announcement of the Games closed, it was extinguished. The ceremony ended with a grandiose fireworks display.

19. Slide. Results.

At the same time, the Sydney Games were marred by many doping scandals.
The Sydney Olympic Games were the most representative in the history of modern Olympic movement... About 11,000 athletes and 5100 officials from 199 countries took part in them, 300 sets of medals were played in 28 sports.

The Olympic Games are once again ranked among the most significant media products, attracting millions of viewers, which suggests that they can be an extremely important showcase of modern experimental technologies aimed at saving energy and protecting the environment.

Medal Winning Countries: USA (91)
Medal winners: Alexey Nemov Russia (6)

20. Russia at the Olympics.

Despite the fact that at the 2000 Olympics at the last moment, Russian athletes still managed to outstrip the Chinese in the number of gold medals and break into an honorable second place in the unofficial team competition, the performance of the Russian national team left an ambiguous impression. Sydney was only one step from glee to despair. The Russians won not at all where they expected, and failed in those forms where they should have won for sure. Yesterday's heroes disappointed, and the "dark horses" suddenly turned into triumphs. As a result, these Games turned everything upside down.

Perhaps it was the lack of a burden of responsibility on the shoulders that helped the insanely talented but very unstable tennis player win Evgeny Kafelnikov - after all, after the recent successes of Marat Safin, many have already written off him.
Our cyclist won the time trial just as suddenly Vyacheslav Ekimov, not shining at the last competitions of professional racers.

 The high jumper's victory was also a revelation Sergey Klyugin with a score of 2.35 m, which until recently was in the shadow of our world champion Vyacheslav Voronin... Unexpectedly successful for us were starts in team events - in recent years (before the Olympics) here, as a rule, only disappointments awaited us.

 Russian fans, of course, will remember the feat of the gymnast Svetlana Khorkina, which fell twice from the uneven bars, but in the end still won Olympic gold on this particular shell.
The courage of the saber will also be remembered Sergei Sharikov- in team competitions, he was injured, but, overcoming the pain, brought the battle to the end (thanks to which the Russians won the most important victory over the Romanians).

 Among Russian athletes, the following have also achieved the highest results: gymnast Alexey Nemov- six medals, including a gold one in the absolute championship, Irina Privalova- Gold medal in the 400 meters hurdles. Since 1989, Privalova has become a permanent participant in all major world competitions. After the very first serious successes on the treadmill, she gained the reputation of the leader of the USSR national team (since 1992 - Russia) and the best sprinter in the country. She was the only white athlete who could beat black sprint runners.

Dmitry Sautin- four medals in diving - gold, silver and two bronze, Evgeny Kafelnikov- a gold medal in singles in tennis, a saber team - a gold medal, and the men's national handball team - a gold medal.
Synchronized Swimming Masters Olga Brusnikina and Maria Kiseleva became two-time Olympic champions of the Games in Sydney.

Alina Kabeva is the only athlete in rhythmic gymnastics who is an absolute five-time European champion, two-time absolute world champion, winner of the Olympic gold (Athens 2004) and bronze (Sydney 2000) medals. At the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, everyone was expecting only gold from Alina, but a chance got in the way. During the performance with the hoop, he jumped off his hand, which is a gross mistake. Kabaeva is only the third, but the gold medal still went to Russia - the first was Yulia Barsukova.

Russian athletes won 88 medals, including 32 gold, 28 silver and 28 bronze. The Russian national team was represented by 454 Olympians, 179 athletes won Olympic medals, of which 63 were gold. The most successful Russian athletes performed in artistic gymnastics(5 gold medals), freestyle wrestling (4), fencing (3), Greco-Roman wrestling, rhythmic gymnastics, synchronized swimming, diving, trampoline jumping 2, handball (men) and modern pentathlon, tennis 1 medals of the highest dignity. There is a high level of training and results of performance of national teams in trampoline jumping, cycling (highway), boxing, tennis, a number of athletics disciplines; worthy performance of the national teams in men's and women's volleyball, water polo, taekwondo.

21, 22, 23. Slide. Modern Olympiads.

(Needless to say) The list of athletes who won the most medals can still be established. The first place in it is occupied by Larisa Latynina, who participated in the 1956-1964 Olympics and received 18 medals, of which 9 for the first, 5 for the second and 4 for the third place. It is followed by Nikolay Adrianov, 1972-1980, the total number of medals is 15, of which 7 - for the first, 5 - for the second and three - for the third place. Both athletes played for the USSR in gymnastics competitions.

Finnish Paavo Nurmi, who received 12 medals in the field of athletics, takes the third place in the list, the American Mark Spitz is fourth, 11 medals in swimming. Fifth place also belongs to the American Carl Lewis, who participated in the Olympics from 1984 to 1996, and received 9 gold and 1 silver medals for his performances in athletics. Three more American medalists are Jenny Thompson (swimming), Matt Biondi (swimming) and Ray Evry (athletics). Athletes from Japan (Savao Kato, gymnastics, 12 medals), Germany (Birjit Fischer, canoeing, 12 medals) also distinguished themselves.

24. Slide. Sources.

25. Slide. Finite.

The Sydney Olympic Games were the most representative in the history of the modern Olympic movement. About 11,000 athletes and 5100 officials from 199 countries took part in them, 300 sets of medals were played in 28 sports.

September 15th. The torch of the Sydney Olympics is one of the longest in the history of modern Olympics. The torch was delivered by 10,000 Australians. Each moved a distance of about a kilometer. It was delivered by foot, train, bicycle, horseback, ship, plane, kayak, canoe, Sydney ferry.

The Olympic Village is located in the Nevington residential area in the Olympic Park adjacent to Sydney and covers 100 hectares. The Olympic Village was designed and built to accommodate 10,200 competitors and 5,100 delegation officials at the same time. It consists of 1,150 modular buildings. The issues of environmental protection are carefully thought out and taken into account. Solar energy is used to the maximum. The equipment of the buildings was made taking into account the composition of the participants and delegates, as well as national cultures. Meals are provided comprehensively in restaurants. Apartments for athletes and delegates are not equipped with kitchen units. After the end of the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, the apartments were equipped with kitchen utensils and put up for sale.

The first stars of the XXVII Olympiad were athletes carrying the flags of their countries. Among them, of course, the teams of North and South Korea stood out, for the first time in 50 years marching under the same flag, which showed a map of the peninsula.

The appearance under the Stars and Stripes American flag of the athlete Cliff Meidl, who once competed in kayak races, was very touching. 14 years ago he suffered an accident - he received an electric shock of 30 thousand volts. Doctors fought for his life, and now, years later, he returned to the Olympic arena, solemnly carrying the flag of his country.

In the unofficial team classification the US national team won with 97 medals - 39 gold, 25 silver and 33 bronze. The second place was taken by the Russian national team, having won 88 medals - 32 gold and 28 silver and bronze medals. Third place is China, having won 57 medals - 28 gold, 16 silver, 13 bronze.

The heroes of the Olympics were: (USA), who won two gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters, Peter van Hoogenband(Netherlands), two gold and two bronze medals in swimming and three world records, (Australia) in swimming, Steve Redgrave(Great Britain), who won the gold medal - the fifth in a row in five consecutive Olympics, in rowing.

In 1998 he was named "Australian of the Year" among youth. They wrote about him: "He is confident, smart, ambitious and articulates his thoughts with extraordinary clarity."... Ian became Australia's national hero. Not bad for a 16 year old who started swimming to overcome boredom!
In connection with the preparation for the Olympics, Ian was forced to leave school for a while, where he studied in the tenth grade.
In Sydney, Ien's hometown, the 17-year-old Australian swimmer was definitely the favorite. The Olympic Committee has authorized the use of special swimming suits. Such a suit for Ian was made from "fast leather" material, designed specifically for the American amphibious assault. And Ian met the expectations of his fans, He won the gold medal in the 400m freestyle and broke his own world record.
He then performed in the 4 x 100 meter relay in the final stage and won again, slightly ahead of American Gary Hall at the finish. Finally, he received another silver medal in the 200m freestyle and a gold medal in the 4 x 200m freestyle relay with the Australian team.

American Athlete - became the first woman to earn five medals in athletics in a single Olympics.
When she was just 16 years old, she qualified to compete in the 4 x 100 mctr relay with the American team in the 1992 Olympics. However, she missed this opportunity to participate in the Games. She also did not compete in the 1996 Atlanta Games as she was still recovering from her injury when she broke her leg. After winning the 100 meters at the 1997 and 1999 World Championships, she was finally ready to compete in the Olympics.

She started with her indisputable victory at a distance of 100 meters, with a wide lead over her rivals. Then, five days later, I won the 200 meters very easily. She also earned "bronze" in the long jump and relay 4 x 100 meters, participating in the last stage of the relay. Finally, Marion ran in the 4 x 400 meters relay (in the third stage) and earned her third gold medal.

American Angelo Taylor won the Sydney Olympics in the 400m hurdles with a personal best of 47.50, and he received his second Olympic gold medal after the US team won the 4x400m relay (Angelo ran for the team in the first two preliminary rounds). Taylor was also the overall winner of the 2000 Grand Prix and won the Grand Prix final in Doha, Qatar. At the end of the season, Angelo Taylor received the 2000 Jesse Owens Award.

On receiving the Owens Prize, he said: "It is a great honor for me to receive this award. Jesse Owens is the personification athletics... In 1936, winning four gold medals was a great achievement. To receive such a high award at such a young age is truly honorable. It was an absolute surprise for me. I go out and train every day and consider myself a regular guy. ".

Perhaps it was the lack of responsibility behind the shoulders that helped the insanely talented but very unstable tennis player Yevgeny Kafelnikov win - after all, after the recent successes of Marat Safin, many have already written him off.
Our cyclist won the time trial just as suddenly Vyacheslav Ekimov, not shining at the last competitions of professional racers.

The high jumper's victory was also a revelation. Sergey Klyugin with a score of 2.35 m, which until recently was in the shadow of our world champion Vyacheslav Voronin... Unexpectedly successful for us were the starts in the team events - in recent years, here, as a rule, only disappointments awaited us.

Russian fans, of course, will remember the feat of the gymnast Svetlana Khorkina, which fell twice from the uneven bars, but in the end still won Olympic gold on this particular shell.
The courage of the saber will also be remembered Sergei Sharikov- in team competitions, he was injured, but, overcoming the pain, brought the battle to the end (thanks to which the Russians won the most important victory over the Romanians).

Among Russian athletes, the following have also achieved the highest results: gymnast Alexey Nemov- six medals, including a gold medal in the absolute championship, - a gold medal in the 400 m hurdles, Dmitry Sautin- four medals in diving - gold, silver and two bronze, Evgeny Kafelnikov- a gold medal in singles in tennis, a saber team - a gold medal, and the men's national handball team - a gold medal.
Synchronized Swimming Masters Olga Brusnikina and Maria Kiseleva became two-time Olympic champions of the Games in Sydney.

V athletics hit almost by accident. On the eve of the Moscow Olympics, in 1979, an athletics arena was erected not far from the house where the family lived. Once Irina went to see how athletes train there. At the entrance to the gym, the coach saw her and thought that the girl was late for training. He commanded in displeasure: "Let's change quickly and go to the gym!" Irina was wearing a training suit, and she got to workout. That evening she liked it so much that the next day she came again. Coach M. Belyakov did not raise his voice this time ...

During the year, Irina Privalova combined daily skating and track and field training. However, over time, the comfort and warmth of the arena, especially in winter, "broke" her, and she left the skates. Continuing to go in for athletics, Irina soon fulfilled the standard of the USSR master of sports in running 100 meters and long jump, showing good results in high jumps. Her subsequent achievements did not go unnoticed by the sports leadership. In 1985, the young athlete was included in the youth national team of the USSR, and in 1989, after winning the national championship, she was enrolled in the national team of the country.

In 1986, Irina Privalova entered the Faculty of Journalism of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, then became a graduate student of the department of periodicals. As a student, she played for the university national team at various competitions, became an international master of sports.

Since 1989, Privalova has become a permanent participant in all major world competitions. After the very first serious successes on the treadmill, she gained the reputation of the leader of the USSR national team (since 1992 - Russia) and the best sprinter in the country. She was the only white athlete who could beat black sprint runners.

Many sports achivments Irina Privalova, by coincidence, were accompanied by injuries. At the 1997 World Championships in Paris, Irina suffered a rupture of the back of the thigh muscles, and as a great sprinter she receded into the shadows. Then she was close to leaving big sport... Especially after Marion Jones reigned in the sprint, with whom Privalova, perhaps, could argue, but only in an absolutely healthy state. It seemed to many that an impasse had come in her sports career.

However, Irina herself and her husband and permanent coach Vladimir Parashchuk thought differently. Having weighed all the options for a future sports career, not only the possibilities of Privalova herself, but also of her future rivals in one discipline or another, the couple came to a sensational decision: Irina should run 400 meters with hurdles! The history of athletics has never known such a thing.

To many professionals and sports fans, this transition seemed adventurous. There were more skeptics of such a retraining than supporters. And the age of the athlete - 31 years old - did not inspire much optimism. Nevertheless, the Privalov-Parashchuk marital tandem came to the conclusion that they have prospects. Moreover, in 1995 Irina had already won the “smooth” 400 meters at the winter world championship, and later ran the same 400 meters in the relay for 48.40. Hence the conclusion: if she manages to master the barrier technique, then she will be quite capable of showing the result of the international level.

Irina Privalova walked for a long time to the main (as it turned out later) in her life start. After all, hurdling was for her an experiment and a huge risk. The result exceeded all expectations. At the Olympics in Sydney (Australia), she won gold (September 27 - in the 400 m hurdles) and bronze (September 30 - in the 4x400 m relay) medals. At a new distance for herself, and even with previously unknown obstacles, Irina Privalova was ahead of many representatives of the world sprint elite. And this despite the fact that in the final the champion ran the "official" 400-meter race only for the eighth time (!) In her career and for the fourth time (!) In official competitions.

At the same time, the Sydney Games were marred by many doping scandals. And mostly athletes from former socialist countries were involved in them. In this regard, the fact that the athlete Svetlana Pospelova was the only one disqualified for the use of illegal drugs in our team, to some extent, can also be considered a success.

At the closing ceremony of the last Millennium Olympic Games, IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch declared Sydney 2000 the best Olympics in history. But whether Sydney became the best Games in the modern history of Russian sports is still difficult to say. Too much controversy has happened to our compatriots on the green continent. For some, Sydney 2000 turned out to be full of unfulfilled hopes and scandals, for others - great victories and holidays. Everyone who followed the Olympics made their own impression from the mosaic of thousands of events. And we, apparently, will be able to form some kind of objective picture about our performance in Sydney only in four years, comparing the current results and emotions with those that will give us the first games of the new millennium in Athens.