These four finalist certificates, each one printed on gold, silver, bronze or cream paper, were designed to award athletes at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games: gold medallists received the gold certificates; silver medallists the silver certificates; bronze medallists the bronze certificates; and athletes finishing from fourth to eighth position the cream certificates. Approximately 5560 certificates were printed over the eleven days of competition - the aim was to deliver these, and medal boxes, within 24 hours of the medal presentations.

Silhouetted across the pages, the Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee (SPOC) logo represents three dynamic shapes leaping towards the Paralympic Games. This image offsets a smaller, coloured version of the logo and the inscription: "In recognition of your outstanding performance at the Games of the XI Paralympiad Sydney 2000". At the bottom of the page, the printed signature of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President, Dr. Robert Steadward, features alongside the IPC logo.

Teams of six volunteers produced the certificates, working on rotation to draw competition results from a database of sport and athlete information. (On busy days however, additional volunteers joined these teams.) Specific details, including the name of the event and athlete, were then added to the certificate to personalise each document. Certificate production was a time-consuming process, and approximately 39 countries received their certificates and medal boxes by post in the weeks after the Games. However, when ready in time, the certificates were delivered to athletes at the Paralympic Village, and were also printed for guide runners and for the owners of horses that competed in equestrian events.

The Post Games Report for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games infers that university students designed these finalist certificates. However, this information is brief and unclear. The design itself includes a silhouette of the Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee (SPOC) logo as well as a smaller, coloured version. The IPC logo appears at the bottom of the page. The colours of the four certificates - gold, silver, bronze and cream - were selected to correspond with the colours of the victory medals.

Approximately 5560 certificates were printed over the eleven days of competition. Teams of six volunteers worked on rotation to drew competition results from a database of sports and athletes, and to print this information on the finalist certificates. On busy days however, additional volunteers joined these teams.

Though these certificates are unused, they are similar to those that were presented to finalists at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. If used, these certificates would have featured the names of athletes and their final positions in Paralympic events.

Owned by the Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee and donated to the Powerhouse Museum after the Games

Finalist certificate (4), paper, athletes, Paralympic Games, Sydney, 2000, made by Medal Ceremonies, Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee, Sydney 2000

Certificates, 4, A4 size, gloss paper. Each certificate is a different colour, gold, silver, bronze and white. Each features a silhouette of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games logo in the background and a small Paralympic logo in centre of page and the Internal Paralympic Committee logo at the bottom of the page. In black text on each certificate 'In recognition of your outstanding performance/ at the Games of the XI Paralympiad Sydney 2000'

Made: 2000

2001/84/229

2000