The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.
When too much sport is barely enough
The Olympics are upon us again, and will have an echo in Sydney, despite being at the other end of the world this year.
Sydneysiders have always loved their sports, from the first boxing matches, cockfights and horse races in Hyde Park, to the triumphant and exciting Sydney Olympics of 2000. Our Sport article, by Richard Cashman, brings together the many different sports that have exercised the city's muscles and emotions over the years.
But Sydney's Olympic effort of 2000 was not the first major international event to be held in the city. The 1938 Empire games brought athletes from all over the British Empire to Sydney, in what was to be the last big international sporting event for a decade.
Before that, international Davis cup ties, and world championship rowing races drew huge crowds.
Sydney's Olympics still stir fond memories in many Sydneysiders, and some of those have been captured by the City of Sydney's oral history program and made available on their website. Have a listen and get ready for the London event! For those seeking the genuine thrill of mass sport watching, there will be a big screen in Customs House square, from 27 July to 13 August.
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