These white, cricket-style trousers were made by Bonds for boxing, wrestling and water polo referees at the Sydney Olympic Games. Bonds supplied around 250 pairs of these trousers for the Games, ensuring that the design was in keeping with standards for international competition. Referees, and other technical officials, were part of Games Force 2000 - the accredited workforce of volunteers, contracted staff and paid staff that provided skilled and unskilled labour for the Sydney 2000 Games. In this role, they received casual and business Games Force uniforms and, when necessary, sport-specific clothing, such as a white shirt, white trousers and a bow tie for boxing referees. Technical officials were one of seven Games Force groups; the other six included Games Services, Spectator Services, Transport Services, Security Services, Medical Officials and the Sydney Olympic Broadcasting Organisation.

From 1997, the Australian clothing manufacturers, Bonds, collaborated with the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games to design Games Force uniforms. The results were casual and business uniforms, and a small range of clothing accessories. Colour- coded to identify the seven Games Force groups, the casual uniforms included polo shirts, waterproof jackets, wide-brimmed hats, hip bags and beige trousers. These same trousers featured in the business uniforms, along with business shirts, ties or scarves and blazers. Personnel wore their own black shoes.

Around 3,500 technical officials, including lines persons, judges, juries, umpires and referees, worked at the Sydney 2000 Games. On arrival in Australia, the international officials received an accreditation pass (which wavered Australian visa and immigration laws from 15 August to 1 November 2000), and a casual and business uniform. As members of the Olympic Family, Technical officials were accommodated at Macquarie University during the Games.

Bonds supplied around 250 pairs of these white, cricket-style trousers to referees, ensuring that the design was in keeping with standards for international competition.

The Games Force uniform was manufactured by Bonds both in Australia and overseas - an arrangement that attracted enormous criticism from the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia, which anticipated that all Sydney 2000 uniforms would be manufactured locally. These and other pairs of cricket-style trousers were made in Thailand.

These white, cricket-style trousers were made by Bonds for boxing, wrestling and water polo referees at the Sydney Olympic Games. These events took place at the Sydney Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour and the Sydney International Aquatic Centre.

Made for and owned by the Olympic Coordination Authority/Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, and donated to the Powerhouse Museum after use in the Games.

Trousers, cricket-style, polyester, Games Force uniform, Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000, made by Bonds in Thailand, 2000

Trousers, part of Olympic workforce uniform. White polyester, elasticised waist with drawstring, zip in fly. Pant legs taper towards the base. Three pockets in total, one pocket either side of the trousers at hip level and one back pocket that is fastened with Velcro. Label below the left side pocket 'Bonds'. Labels inside waistband black 'Bonds' label and a white manufacturers label below with care instructions on the back. A small plastic bag with Vilene inside it is attached to the white manufacturers label. On the front of the plastic bag are instructions for use of the Vilene. There is some yellow discolouration and dirt on the pants.

Made: 2000

2001/84/599

2000