Media Release
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer
6 October 2000
Australia's Golden Glow from the Olympics
The unqualified success of the Sydney Olympic Games has been widely acclaimed around the world, providing a tremendous boost to Australia's international standing.
Australia's diplomatic missions around the world have reported huge and very positive media coverage of Australia, which has highlighted that, as a nation, we can undertake large and complex projects with distinction.
The smooth operations of the Games, our economic strength, environmental practices and characteristics of Australian society have been acclaimed in print and electronic media globally.
This will produce significant long-term economic and other benefits for Australia.
The Games organisers and their staff, the athletes and officials and, not least, the huge army of friendly volunteers, deserve they accolades they have received.
The Commonwealth too, can be proud of its contribution to the Games effort. My Department has worked with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to manage a facilitation and hospitality program for visiting international dignitaries including twenty five heads of state and heads of government.
DFAT joined with the Australian Tourist Commission and the NSW Government to establish the very successful Sydney Media Centre to promote reporting on non-Games issues. Over 3,500 journalists visited the Centre around the Games. About 40 Commonwealth-sponsored media seminars, press conferences and other events were held at the Centre to promote Australia to visiting media. Feedback from visiting media was universally positive and appreciative.
My Department also hosted more than 100 prominent international visitors to Olympic Arts Festival events during the Games. Many were surprised at the quality, depth and diversity of the Australian arts and welcomed the inclusion of the Arts in their Games experience.
FA115
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