One of the historic moments that occurred during the opening ceremony was the decision by North and South Korea to allow their teams to march together under the same flag. This represented the (temporary) rapprochement of the two Korean states, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and South Korea.

The significance of the sign saying 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea' lies in the fact that it was prepared for the parade of athletes but not used. In a deal brokered by J.A. Samaranch, president of the IOC, all Korean athletes marched together in the opening ceremony under a single blue unification flag representing the whole Korean peninsula. This flag was carried by a female basketballer from South Korea and a male judo competitor from North Korea. As is customary each national team was led on to the arena behind a person holding a placard bearing that country's name. On this occasion the sign read 'Korea'. The athletes from both Korean states wore the same uniforms. The announcer introduced them as 'Delegations of the Korean Olympic Committee and the Olympic Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, marching together as Korea'. During the Games, however, they competed as separate countries under their respective flags. The unused sign saying 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea' was set aside and became part of the Games collection. It is not known what happened to the sign saying 'Korea'.

The placard saying 'United States of America' preceded the entry of the American team. The 'Mali' placard preceded the entry of the team from the African nation of that name.

The placards also appeared at the closing ceremony. Before the arrival of the athletes, placard carriers and flag bearers for each nation entered and assembled at the centre of the arena. As is now customary, the athletes did not march but entered in a festive, casual manner in a spirit of informality and unity.

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Used in the parade of athletes during the opening and closing ceremonies, except the placard saying 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea' which was not used because of the decision by the two Korean teams to march together.

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.

Signs, 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea' (2), 'United States of America' (1), 'Mali' (1), Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000, Australia, 2000

Four signs: 1. Sign 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea', in cutout black plastic letters on a white background with a blue border, mounted on aluminium frame, with an aluminium pole. 2. Sign same to 1, but not mounted. 3. Sign, unmounted, similar to 1, 'United States of America'. 4. Sign, unmounted, similar to 1, 'Mali'.

Made: 2000

2001/84/239

2000