The 2000 Sydney Paralympics set a then-record of 3,801 athletes from 123 nations across 18 sports, marking the first Paralympics held in Australia and Oceania.
Key Facts
- Athletes
- 3,801
- Participating nations (NPCs)
- 123
- Events contested
- 551
- Sports featured
- 18
- Games edition
- XI Summer Paralympics
- Mascot
- Lizzie the frill-necked lizard
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following Sydney's selection to host the 2000 Summer Olympic Games, the International Paralympic Committee arranged for the city to also stage the Paralympic Games, continuing the practice of joint Olympic and Paralympic host cities that had developed since the 1988 Seoul Games.
The XI Summer Paralympics were held in Sydney, Australia, from 18 to 29 October 2000, featuring a record 3,801 athletes from 123 National Paralympic Committees competing in 551 events across 18 sports. It was the first edition staged in Australia and Oceania, and the last organised by two separate committees.
The Sydney Paralympics raised global awareness of para-sport through record participation and were regarded as one of the most professionally organised editions to date. The scale and profile of the Games helped accelerate later moves toward fully integrating Paralympic and Olympic organising structures under a single committee.