This orange polyester banner featured at the Sydney 2000 Torch Relay celebrations. Its simple design acknowledges all thirteen Torch Relay sponsors, and reflects the five-tiered sponsorship system. The banner is now a valuable record of the staged Torch Relay festivities, and of the extensive sponsorship scheme that supported the event.

Commercial sponsorship of Olympic events, including the torch relay, was customary even in ancient times when sponsors provided proper diets, instructors, torches, oil for up to 100 runners, contest prizes, and ornamentation for sporting fields. Today, Olympic sponsorship is a prestigious role that is also cause and effect of the commercialism that dominates each Olympic Games. In its most democratic form, sponsorship increases public awareness and access to Olympic events.

In 1998, SOCOG envisioned an extensive torch relay that would engender an Olympic spirit amongst Australians. Such a scheme would require comprehensive sponsorship, particularly in areas of media, finance, transport, and communication. Ultimately, SOCOG obtained thirteen sponsors, and united them under the banner of "Team Millennium".

Essentially, Team Millennium comprised a simple, five-tiered framework that ranked sponsors according to levels of financial commitment. Membership of a tier attracted a temporary though official title: Olympic Presenting Partner, Major Supporter, Supporter, Provider, or Media Partner. AMP attained the principal position, Olympic Presenting Partner, by funding the Torch Relay and staging the 1999 promotional exhibition, "Ignite the Dream".

Team Millennium was a reciprocal arrangement, providing sponsors with highly publicised affiliations with SOCOG and the Sydney 2000 Torch Relay. Team Millennium sponsors also received formal acknowledgement at each of the 188 community celebrations. This banner represents, representing the thirteen sponsors, featured daily on stage at the Torch Relay celebrations.

This orange polyester banner featured at the Sydney 2000 Torch Relay celebrations. Its simple design acknowledges all thirteen Torch Relay sponsors, and reflects the five-tiered sponsorship system. The banner is now a valuable record of the staged Torch Relay festivities, and of the extensive sponsorship scheme that supported the event.

Made by Selby's Flags and Banners, Rydalmere NSW c.2000

Used during Torch Relay celebrations, 8 June to 15 September 2000

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.

Banner, sponsors, Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay, made by Selby's Flags and Banners, Rydalmere, NSW c.2000

Banner, Torch Relay Sponsors, polyester, rectangular. Burnt orange background with lighter orange 'fluid energy' patterning. Olympic Torch Relay logo - human figure running with torch. White text "Sydney 2000 / Olympic / Torch / Relay". White panel with black text "Presenting Partner" [AMP logo] / "Major Supporter" [Shell logo] / "Supporters" [IBM and Ansett logos] / "Providers" [Holden, Westfield / Harley-Davidson, Adecco / Sports Illustrated Time Inc logos] / "Media Partners" [News Ltd, 2UE, ABC Radio and Channel 7 logos]. Four square cotton tabs/loops for pole/hanging banner. Label on back top right hand corner "Selby's P.L / Flags, Banners, Flag Poles, Marquees / 1800241066 / Melb. Sydney Brisbane Adelaide"

Made: 2000

2001/84/275

2000

770 mm