The 2000 Sydney Olympics, held across 300+ events with 199 nations, were widely acclaimed as a benchmark for modern Olympic organization.
Key Facts
- Participating nations
- 199
- Events
- 300+
- Estimated cost
- 6.6 billion AUD
- Dates
- 15 September – 1 October 2000
- First-time gold medal nations
- Cameroon, Colombia, Latvia, Mozambique, Slovenia
- Medal tally leader
- United States
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Sydney was selected to host the XXVII Olympiad, marking Australia's second Summer Olympics following Melbourne 1956. The bid succeeded in part due to strong organizational planning and public enthusiasm, setting the stage for what would become one of the most praised Games in modern history.
From 15 September to 1 October 2000, Sydney hosted 199 nations competing across more than 300 events — the first Olympic program to reach that threshold. The Games were organized under IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch's final tenure and drew widespread praise for logistics, volunteerism, and atmosphere.
The Sydney Games were credited with inspiring London's successful 2012 Olympic bid and became a stated organizational model for subsequent host cities. Several nations — including Cameroon, Colombia, Latvia, Mozambique, and Slovenia — claimed their first-ever Olympic gold medals, while six others won their first medals of any kind.
Result
at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia