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When you do something, you might as well do it right--is a sometimes overdone
phrase, but definitely applies to the opening of the Paralympic games in Sydney
Australia. Under a threatening Aussie sky, the ceremonies of the millennium
captured the true meaning of the Olympic spirit - the fire within.

With a sold out stadium gleefully supporting a parade of athletes from over 100
countries, it was evident the preparation the Aussies had put into the games had
paid off. The ceremonies which began with a rousing version of the Australian
National anthem was followed by a F111 fighter bomber jet providing a defening
"glow by".

With much pomp and circumstance, the festivities continued with fanfare centered
on the theme of the fire within. Approximately 1,000 local school children took
to the field covered with tables of different colors. While sounds of
aboriginal and pop music filled the misty night air, the children arranged the
tables into a wonderful tribal mosaic.

As dignitaries like the Deputy Minister of Australia spoke, a youthful
atmosphere of wonder and amazement filled the 100,000 plus stadium. After each
speech and song the anticipation built. As the moment of the parade of
countries approached, the fans were in a clapping, screaming and dancing fervor.

From a journalist perspective it was hard to focus on the story because its
easier to get caught up in the moment. So the moment won. What a spectacle
100,000 people waving tiny flashlights in a dark stadium leaves in your mind.
As the first countries came through the tunnel it was evident the hard work,
sacrifices and commitments these athletes and staff had made to their sport was
coming to a pinnacle.

Smiles and wave from the Olympians were huge. Each push or step seemed to bring
out more pride for the accomplishments they had achieved to get here. As they
rounded the oval track, giving the crowd ample opportunity to show their
appreciation, the continuing change of the mosaic picture was going on in the
middle of the field.

After the parade of countries the oath of athletes was given. Anticipation
started to build again as the Paralympic games were officially declared open.
With the crowd again in a frenzy, the moment many had been waiting for had
finally arrived--the arrival of the torch!

The torch, a symbol of the never ending fire that burns within all of us to do
our best, arrived to the cheers of the spectators and competitors. After a lap
around the track the flame went to the middle of the field where it lit a small
öutback"campfire. From there grew a huge flame that bellowed to a point where
it could not be contained by a few pieces of wood. The flame took its place at
the top of Olympic stadium representing the opening of the Olympic games of
2000.

With the flame lit, the celebration continued with national pop singers charging
up the Sydney night with song and dance. The party continued far into the night
with athletes mingling on the track between countries and fans screaming their
adoration for sport and players alike. The night was brought to a triumphant
display of light with massive fireworks in the middle of the field.

Whenever you do something great it is always hard to try and do it just a little
better. Weeks ago Sydney opened her arms and welcomed athletes from around the
world and did a flawless job. This week she did it again, and as the old saying
goes, if you are going to do something, why not do it right is repeated. We can
only say you not only did it right, Sydney, you did it better.

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