Episode 330 - Bob Elphinston Interview

A very special bonus episode coming your way today on Off The Podium to celebrate an iconic day in Australian Olympic history. On September 23rd, 1993, Sydney was announced as the host city for the 2000 Olympic Games. Thousands of people flocked to the streets of Sydney to celebrate the announcement at just after 4am after Juan Antonio Samaranch's immortal "the winner is Syd-en-ey" announcement. And to celebrate this iconic moment three decades later, we are joined by the general manager of the Sydney Olympics 2000 Bid Company Bob Elphinston to give us a unique insight into the bidding process and learn just what helped get Sydney over the line. We find out all the unique ways Sydney had to go about winning the bid, just how the initial idea for the city to bid for the Olympics in the 70s changed the city long before the 2000 bid, and how Sydney's bid also changed the bidding landscape for future Olympics. Bob also goes over his memories of the 2000 Olympics with his own unique involvement, as well as giving his take on how Olympics are bid for today. He also looks ahead to Brisbane 2032 and how the legacy of Sydney will help those Olympics moving forward. It's an incredible chat that no Olympic fan can miss!