This party blowout has significance as a record of the celebrations after Sydney won the right to host the 2000 Olympic Games.

In the early hours of 24 September 1993 (Sydney time), the International Olympic Committee drew a close to the protracted bidding process by declaring that Sydney would host the Games of the XXVII Olympiad. This announcement set in motion a train of public festivities as well as extensive media coverage and the decoration of civic spaces. This blowout is an example of the ephemera that contributed to the party atmosphere at the Overseas Passenger Terminal where breakfast guests were watching a large television screen as the winning bid was announced by Juan Antonio Samaranch in Monte Carlo. The breakfast turned into a joyous celebration.

This party blowout appears to be in the colours of the bid logo but does not bear the actual logo or the slogan, 'Share the Spirit', that typically accompanied the bid logo. The party that followed the bid announcement recognised the efforts of local residents who convinced IOC officials of their willingness to host an energetic and successful Olympic Games. The festivity suggested by the party blowout reflects the energy that pervaded Sydney after the bid announcement.

Maker unknown

When Sydney won the bid to host the 2000 Olympic Games, Mr Cotton, the donor of this blowout, was New Zealand's Consul-General in Sydney. He received an invitation to the breakfast at Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal on Friday 24 September 1993, and was seated among the guests watching a large television screen when the winning bid was announced by IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch in Monte Carlo. He remembered seeing New South Wales premier John Fahey on the big screen leaping into the air.

It was at this early morning breakfast, hosted by Ian Armstrong, acting premier of New South Wales, that Mr Cotton received this blowout. He recalled that guests were served soft drinks but after the announcement of Sydney's victory, champagne miraculously appeared and the breakfast turned into a party.

After retiring from the diplomatic service, Mr Cotton remained in Sydney and was a member of the task force established to maximise the benefit to New Zealand of the Sydney Games. When he carried the Olympic torch in Wellington, New Zealand, he was allocated an uphill part of the journey, and ran to the cheers of his friends. During the Games he became an attaché to the New Zealand team. He arranged a headquarters for the team at St Andrews Cathedral School, organised a team photograph on the steps of Mitchell Library and organised a dinner at Sydney's Parliament House on the night before the Games commenced. Mr Cotton marched with the New Zealand team at the opening ceremony.

Party blowout, Sydney Olympic bid, paper / plastic, maker unknown, Australia, 1993

Party blowout comprising a white plastic mouthpiece with a paper extension in the festive colours of blue, pink, yellow and orange on white background. Blowing into the mouthpiece causes the paper to extend while inflated and make a noise.

Made: 1993

2007/189/4

1993

300 mm

30 mm

100 mm