FIFA World Cup 2018 / 2022 - Australia's Bidding

Olympic Park fly-through 2008 - London 2012

Olympic Village - construction comes out of the ground - London 2012

Construction starts on cycling venue - London 2012

London 2012 Open Weekend 2009 (24-26 July)

The Olympic Stadium one year anniversary - London 2012

Arafura Games - Ready to Go

With little over one week to go, athletes and spectators are preparing themselves for the 2009 Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia.

Taking place from 9-17 May, the Arafura Games will see a total of 367 athletes with a disability from 30 different countries among the over 3,000 participants. The athletes will be competing in eight Paralympic sports, including Athletics, Swimming, Powerlifting, Cycling (Road), Football 7-a-Side, Shooting, Table Tennis and Wheelchair Tennis.

Held in partnership with the Oceania Paralympic Committee and the Australian Paralympic Committee, the Arafura Games will again incorporate athletes with a disability in the Oceania Paralympic Championships. The Oceania Paralympic Championships are open to eligible athletes with a disability from all countries around the world.

The Football 7-a-Side competition on schedule will feature teams from Great Britain, Australia, Japan and Korea. There are over 120 entries for Athletics and an impressive 15 countries competing in Table Tennis.

What makes the Arafura Games unique is the fact that events for athletes with and without a disability are integrated into the one competition, providing a diverse sporting environment and experience.

Additionally, the 2009 Arafura International Sports Conference will this year incorporate the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Women in Sport Summit from 9-11 May. The Conference is an initiative of the Arafura Games organizers - the Northern Territory Government and the Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) - and is supported by the Australia National Paralympic Committee. Notable presenters at the Summit include Paralympians Louise Sauvage, Amy Winters, Jayme Paris (photo) as well as IPC Women in Sport Committee Chairperson Tine Rindum Teilmann. Also on hand will be the 2008 Australian Paralympic Coach of the Year, Iryna Dvoskina.

The Arafura Games is a leading international sporting competition for emerging champions of the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Since 1991, Arafura Games has been held every two years in the capital of Australia's Northern Territory, Darwin.

For more information on the Arafura Games, please visit www.arafuragames.nt.gov.au.

IOC praise the 'astounding' progress towards London 2012

Olympic Park fly-through 2009 - London 2012

The latest update on the London 2012 Olympic Site

Sydney 2009 World Masters Games

Seb Coe Ambassador

2009 World Masters Games Sydney

Can't wait for Sydney 2009

The 2009 World Masters Games will be held in Sydney from 10th to 18th October 2009. Volunteer applications are now open - click here to apply and be a part of the team.
http://www.2009worldmasters.com/How-to-Volunteer/default.aspx

Pioneer Volunteers - September 1998

Sydney 2000 Olympics Photo Update
Originally uploaded by Peter Konnecke.

This intrepid group of Pioneer Volunteers gather together for Green and Gold sock day in September 1998 for a get together at the Long Reef Chinese Restaurant. (What a night it was) including a torch lighting ceremony when there was a blackout at the restaurant.

Spirit of Sydney - February 2009 Lunch

Video from the Spirit of Sydney Volunteers lunch - February 2009.

Spirit of Sydney - February Lunch

SPIRIT OF SYDNEY PHOTOS - LUNCH 21/02/09
Originally uploaded by Peter Konnecke.

The Spirit of Sydney Volunteers Group recently hosted internationally renowned Australian Paralympian Liesl Tesch as guest speaker at the February Lunch meeting.

Liesl spoke of her triumphs and battles in life and of the experience of being a five time Paralympian in Wheelchair basketball. Liesl is the Captain of the Australian team and has won two silver and one bronze medal in Paralympic competition. Liesl's wonderful sense of humor, engaging personality, and excellent presentation captivated the audience and moved other restaurant patrons as well.








The meeting was also attended by Centre for Volunteering CEO Lynne Dalton who will be the guest speaker at our next lunch in May.

Spirit of Sydney Lunch Photos

Pictures from the February 2009 Spirit of Sydney lunch are now available in slideshow format by clicking this link.

2009 AYOF - Cycling Day 3

Cycling Day 3
Originally uploaded by 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival.

2009 AYOF Cycling Day 4

Cycling Day 4
Originally uploaded by 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival.

Sam Webster of New Zealand

Cycling Day 3
Originally uploaded by 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival.

Team mates perform Haka celebrating Sam Websters win at the 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival

Cycling Day 3

Cycling Day 3
Originally uploaded by 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival.

New Zealand Cycling Team at the 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival

ayof09: Swimming highlights from Day 2

ayof09: Gilbert and Team GB want gold

ayof09: Action heats up on the sands

ayof09: Mitcham wraps all the action on Day 1

ayof09: Athletes firing at ayof

ayof09: Day 3 of the swimming highlights

ayof09: Australian Youth Olympic Festival

ayof09: Aussie hockey stars funk it up

AYOF Archery Competition

IMGA0051
Originally uploaded by 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival.

AYOF Opening Ceremony

AYOF Opening Ceremony-0747
Originally uploaded by 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival.

Performers at the 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival Opening Ceremony

Aquatics Centre progress

London 2012 Sailing venue ready for the Games

London 2012 VeloPark update

Fly-through of the Olympic Park with John Armitt

Olympic Village - construction comes out of the ground

Australian Youth Olympic Festival 2009

Pictures and Video from the Australian Youth Olympic Festival to be held 14th to 18th January 2009. See tomorrows Olympians today. 23 countries, 1500 elite athletes, one great festival of sport. Free entry to competition venues.

Official Photo Group from the Australia Olympic Committee can be found at
AYOF 2009 Photostream

Unofficial photo group can be found at
Unofficial Flickr Photo Group

Spirit of Sydney Volunteers (Unofficial AYOF 2009 News)
Spirit of Sydney - Unofficial Site

AYOF09 on YouTube click here

AYOF09 on Facebookclick here

AYOF09 Twitter click here

Sydney 2000 Olympic Volunteer Video

I found this on You Tube ... a video made by Joel Cubos a Food and beverage Assistant in Main Dining Olympic Village