The Opening
Ceremony of the
Games of the
XXVIIth Olympiad
Friday, September
15, 2000
Stadium Australia,
Homebush
Sydney, Australia
Page
2
"Nature"
After the 'firestorm' comes the rain, and the regeneration. Australia's
life springs anew from the fire and rain to the sounds of water and the
harbingers of rain in Australia, the kookaburra. Many Australian native
plants actually need a fire to assist them in procreation. "Nature"
is a metaphor of rebirth, using representations of the beautiful wildflowers
of the Australian bush, from the waratah, the floral emblem of New South
Wales to the flannel flowers, wattle, flowering gums and more. |
Eucalypts, water lilies, swamp daisies, and sturt desert peas - the most
diverse wildflower garden imaginable, and all springing from Australian's
two constant companions in nature - fire and flood. |
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Finally, once the garden has regenerated, the unique animals return, in
this segment through representation as beautiful artwork. Djakapurra and
Nikki watch in awe, until suddenly the harmony of the land is disturbedby
a new, irresistable force... |
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Opening
Speech by IOC President
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