The bidding logo was an abstracted outline of the Sydney Opera House, lit up in the colours of the Olympic Rings. The Paralympic variant was a teal swirl flanking with dots, some in the Southern Cross constellation and the colours of the 1994 Paralympic symbol.
Paralympic variant
1996–2000
Olympics
Designer:
FHA Image Design
Typography:
Custom wordmark
Also known as:
"Millenium Man"
The official logo for the Sydney 2000 Olympics was revealed to the public on September 14, 1996, following the Olympic flag handover at the Closing Ceremony of Atlanta 1996.
The design is made up of three boomerangs, two dots, a circle and a rough outline of the Sydney Opera House. First Nations Australia was at the centre of the design, which itself is inspired by the care paintings of Australia's indigenous people. The dots and circle are reminiscent of the rocks of the outback. The Opera House outline is indicative of a torch and smoke trail, harking back to the Olympic Torch Relay.
In 1997, the mascots were introduced. Their names were Syd which was a platypus named after Sydney the host city of the Olympic Games 2000, Olly which was kookaburra named after the Olympic Games and Millie which was an echidna was named after the new millennium. The mascots were created by Matthew Hattan and Jozef Szekeres.
Paralympics
Designer:
FHA Image Design
Typography:
Unknown
The Paralympic logo was a representation of an athletes' energy breaking through a barrier. The colors, unique to the Australian landscape, represent the earthy tones of the outback, the nation's forestry and the Sydney Harbour. This logo was introduced sometime around late-1998.
Mascot
The mascot was named Lizzie (a frill-necked lizard) and was introduced during 1999. She was given the voice of Australian celebrity Olivia Newton-John and spread the word about the Paralympic movement and its values.
