This is an example of the silver participant's medals that were presented to all athletes at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Simple in design, the obverse depicts the Sydney 2000 Games logo and the reverse bears the inscription, 'The Games of the XVII Olympiad', and the Olympic rings. The 'Fluid Energy' motif - a concentric design symbolising the Olympic rings reflected in Sydney Harbour - appears on either side. The medal itself is displayed within a plastic and velour mount and contained within a matching box.

Though the Perth Mint and the Royal Australian Mint collaborated to make most Sydney 2000 medals, they did not manufacture these participant's medals for Olympic atheletes. Unfortunately, the designer and manufacturer of the medals are unknown. Around 11,000 athletes competed at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and each one received a commemorative medal.

The tradition of presenting participant's medals to Olympic athletes commenced in 1896 with the modern Olympic Games. Typically, their designs have made reference to the ancient Olympic movement or to the host city or nation, providing athletes with a tangible reminder of their involvement at the Games. In comparison to other recent participant's medals, including those from the 1992 Barcelona Games and the 1996 Atlanta Games, the Sydney example is especially modern in design - its abstract motif covers the entire surface and captures the youthful image of the Games.

Unfortunately, the name of the medal designer or design company is unknown. However, both the obverse and reverse illustrate the Fluid Energy motif that was developed by FHA Image Design as part of the branding package for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Around 11,000 participant's medals were manufactured in 2000 for presentation to athletes who competed at the Sydney Olympic Games.

This example of the Sydney 2000 participant's medal is unused, however identical examples were presented the 11,000 athletes who participated at the Sydney Olympic Games.

This participant's medal was made for and owned by the Olympic Coordination Authority/Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, and donated to the Powerhouse Museum after the Games.

This is a silver participant's medal commemorating the Sydney 2000 Olympics. The obverse represents the Fluid Energy motif surrounding the words, "The Games of the XXVII Olympiad", and the Olympic rings. The reverse depicts the Fluid Energy motif (a liquid pattern) surrounding the Sydney 2000 logo. The medal is contained within a square perspex case lined with velour. The case attaches to a rectangular plinth that holds the case in an upright position. The case and plinth are contained within a pale blue box that features the Fluid Energy motif.

Made: 2000

2001/84/333

2000