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Scientist to attend Olympics anniversary event
It’s been a decade since Sydney hosted the 2000 Olympics and Paralympics, but the thrill of those major sporting events remains vivid for University of the Sunshine Coast sports scientist Professor Brendan Burkett.
Professor Burkett was the flag-bearer for the Australian Paralympic team in 2000, and he rates the experience of leading the Aussie team into the Olympic Stadium at Homebush as one of the proudest moments of his stellar swimming career.
The four-time Paralympian is looking forward to reliving that experience after accepting an invitation by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) to attend the 10-year anniversary celebrations of the Sydney Olympics this month.
“To be able to compete in front of your home crowd as an athlete is one of the biggest highlights you can experience in sport, and being fortunate enough to lead the Australian team as flag bearer into the opening at the Sydney 2000 Games was amazing,” he said.
“It still gives me goosebumps thinking about the hysteria that the capacity crowd created when we marched into Stadium Australia.”
Professor Burkett said the celebrations he would attend on 15-16 September would include the relighting of the Sydney Olympic cauldron by Cathy Freeman and a re-enactment of the Opening Ceremony march past.
“The Sydney Games hold special memories for me, so it will be exciting to return to the venue wearing our team uniform and reliving the moments,” he said. “Plus, the chance to catch up with some old mates will be great.”
The AOC has worked with the Australian Paralympic Committee, Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Events NSW, the City of Sydney and the NSW Government Premier’s Department to organise the 10th anniversary events.
Olympians, Paralympians, Olympic volunteers and those who participated as school children during the opening and closing ceremonies in 2000 will be involved.
Further celebrations will be held on 18 October to mark 10 years since the Sydney Paralympics were held from October 18-29 in 2000.
The Paralympics involved athletes from 127 nations in 551 events across 20 sports. Australia topped the medal tally with 149 medals, comprising 63 gold, 39 silver and 47 bronze.
Professor Burkett won a silver medal in the pool, adding to his collection of one gold, two silver and a bronze from previous Paralympics in Atlanta, Barcelona and Seoul.
— Terry Walsh