This series of 18 soft-cover booklets, titled 'Sports Explanatory Books 2000 Paralympic Games', was published in 2000 by the Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee (SPOC). Each edition represents one of eighteen Paralympic sports and provides detailed though standard information regarding event administration. Chapters refer to qualifying standards, competition schedules, competition formats, medal presentation ceremonies, protest procedures, village facilities and numbers of entry allocations per country. Concise and formulaic, the content suggests that the booklets were produced for Paralympic teams, sports officials, media representatives and other bodies requiring sport-specific information.

Contained in a green cardboard slipcase, the booklets also exemplify the official the graphic design treatments that came to identify Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. Their individually coloured covers represent the principal and secondary colour palettes that referenced the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) logo and the diverse Australian landscape. In addition, their inclusion of cropped, blurred photographs; angled headings; geometric and outlined typefaces; sports pictograms; background textures and the Games emblem made clear reference to the kit of parts.

Signifying "power, performance and pursuit", the Sydney 2000 Paralympic kit of parts reflected the optimism and aspiration of athletes, and formed a distinct and unified image for the Games. At its centre, an emblem of three surging shapes symbolised the energy of Paralympic athletes and resembled the three-tiered Paralympic torch. This and other defining elements were developed by Australian company, FHA Image Design in early 1999 and were later published in the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games Image Guidelines. Both the kit and the subsequent publication ensured that Sydney made a visual transition from the Olympic to the Paralympic Games.

These Sports Explanatory Books do not feature designer details however, their covers represent the branding package, or kit of parts, that identified the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. In early 1999, Australian company, FHA Image Design, developed the branding package, or kit of parts, for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. Combining a range of branding elements, the kit set a strong and unique visual tone for the Paralympic Games and reflected the optimism and aspiration of Paralympic athletes.

This series of eighteen booklets was published in mid 2000 by the Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee at Ultimo, Sydney.

Though these booklets have not been used, identical examples were probably distributed to Paralympic teams, sports officials, media representatives and other bodies requiring sport-specific information.

Made for and owned by the Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee and donated to the Powerhouse Museum after the Games.

Sports booklets and slipcase, Sports Explanatory Books 2000 Paralympic Games, paper/recycled cardboard, Paralympic Games, Sydney, 2000, published by the Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee, Ultimo, Sydney 2000

Booklets (19) in slip case, paper / cardboard, Sports Explanatory Books 2000 Paralympic Games. Each book provides an explanation for each Paralympic sport and there is a fold out venue map in the back of each book. Each booklet has a different coloured cover. The books are stored in a cardboard case. The base of the case is green and features the 2000 Paralympic Games logo. The lid or cover for the base is predominantly green and features the 2000 Paralympic Games logo. On the front of the cover in grey text 'Sports Explanatory Books 2000 / Paralympic Games'.

Made: 2000

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2000