Sydney 2000 Olympic Opening Ceremony

The Games of the new millenium

Coverage of the glorious Olympic Opening Ceremony of the Games in Sydney. The opening ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympic games took place on Friday 15 September in Stadium Australia. As mandated by the Olympic Charter, the proceedings combined the formal and ceremonial opening of this international sporting event, including welcoming speeches, hoisting of the flags and the parade of athletes, with an artistic spectacle to showcase the host nation's culture and history.