MONTE CARLO, MONACO — Sydney launched its bid to host the 2000 Olympic Games in 1991. The main contender against Sydney was Beijing, and voting was close right up until the final decision.
On September 23, 1993, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Juan Antonio Samaranch, announced from Monte Carlo that Sydney, Australia, would be the host for the Olympic Games in 2000.
Sydney won for its emphasis on safety for athletes and the fact that it was more environmentally conscious.
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Further, China was known for its human rights abuses, and while some IOC members hoped that a Beijing win might signal a movement towards adopting democratic values in China.
In the end, Australia’s security and political stability won out.
