There were over 47,000 volunteers working tirelessly on the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games and each had a different motivation and a different story.

For pioneer volunteer Meredith Aveling, it wasn’t just about being part of the Games, it was about the sport.

“Having volunteered over a few years in the lead up to the Games, when the time came for us to receive our Games-times roles it was very exciting,” Aveling said.

“A lot of the pioneer volunteers chose to be placed with dignitaries or VIPs but I was there for the sport so I picked the marathon and triathlon.”

Triathlon was held as an Olympic event for the first time in Sydney and the women’s race was the first of 300 events taking place throughout the Games.

“I remember every minute of the triathlon,” Aveling said.

“It was the first day of the Games, we were down there before dawn and watched the sun come up over the Opera House – it was the most magnificent day.

“My job was to guide the athletes out to start the race as their names were called. I remember saying ‘Have a great race’ to each one of them – it was so exciting.”

Conducting test events was another role sport volunteers took part in. At the triathlon test event Aveling was in charge of marking the athletes’ arms and legs with their race number.

“I remember writing on their skin and so many had scars and wounds from competing,” she said. “It is such a tough sport.”

As far as tough sports go, the marathon is also right up there.

“I was lucky enough to be part of the marathon test event, not as a volunteer, but a competitor,” Aveling said.

“I thought that if I was ever going to do one, this was the one to do. It was the most amazing experience – running in to the stadium, just as the athletes would weeks later. We all got medals and it felt so special, like I’d won.”

The marathons during the Games were a very emotional couple of days for Aveling and the other volunteers.

“I especially remember the East Timorese athlete Agueda Fatima Amaral,” Aveling said.

“She was one of the first athletes to represent East Timor at the Olympic Games as the Sydney Olympics followed East Timor’s declaration of independence from Indonesia.

“Her shoes were destroyed in an arson attack on her home and she trained for the Olympics by running barefoot, until shoes were donated to her by the Australian Team. She had no national colours to run in, and when she reached the stadium, she knelt on the ground and bowed to the crowd. It was amazing to be there for that.”

Aveling’s journey as a Sydney 2000 volunteer continued through to the Paralympic Games where she played a number of different roles.

“I remember seeing Kurt Fearnley and the other Paralympians in the marathon near North Sydney station,” Aveling said. “They were going so fast and there were hay bales in place in case anyone lost control. It was unbelievable!”

“The Paralympic Games were so wonderful,” Aveling recalled. “The Paralympians are such incredible and inspiring athletes and the support behind them was wonderful.”

“One of my funniest memories was at the athletics. There were so many supporters there. I was in charge parking strollers outside the stadium - there were thousands of them!”

Like many volunteers, Aveling forged some strong friendships and indelible memories during the years she volunteered leading up to Sydney 2000. She will have the opportunity to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Games on Wednesday 15 September at Sydney Olympic Park. Thousands of volunteers will gather from across Australia for a free BBQ and concert ending with Cathy Freeman and Louise Sauvage relighting the Olympic Cauldron.

For more information go to www.sydney2000reunion.com or call 02 9751 4444.

Alice Wheeler
AOC