Westfield Stratford City is located strategically at the gateway to London Olympic Park. The Westfield Group, which was founded in Australia in 1959, will contribute both to the Games and afterwards (courtesy The Westfield Group)

The Australian Olympic Caravan from 2000 to 2012

A Unique Olympic Events Industry

Richard Cashman
Director, Australian Centre for Olympic Studies

Rob Harris
Director, Australian Centre for Event Management
University of Technology, Sydney

With a Foreword by Sandy Hollway AO

Paperback and epublication • 32 colour plates • References
Walla Walla Press, Sydney, August 2012
ISBN: 978-1-876718-15-2

$50.00

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Australia is the first country to develop an international Olympic caravan to cater for the requirements of large-scale sporting and cultural events. Australians have promoted innovations in ceremonies, sports presentation, the design and look of events, new forms of media and other areas.

The caravan was a direct product of the acclaimed Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Many individuals and firms responded to post-event opportunities to develop a brand that was exceptionally strong. As a result, Australians have dominated this field over the past decade.

Since the caravan has largely operated offshore and outside the usual parameters of business, the achievements of many Australians have not been properly understood and recognised. The story of the Australian Olympic caravan is one that needs to be told because it has enhanced the country’s reputation abroad and contributed to the knowledge economy. The caravan demonstrates how this new form of legacy has emerged over a long period through imagination, inventiveness and a 'can do' spirit.

Book chapters
• 1. Reflections on The Caravan • 2. Genesis of a New Industry • 3. Government Backing • 4. The Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympic Games and The Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games • 5. The Athens 2004 Olympic Games • 6. The Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games, The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and The Doha 2006 Asian Games • 7. The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games • 8. The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, The Shanghai 2010 World Expo, The Singapore 2010 Youth Olympics, The Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games and The Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games • 9. The London 2012 Olympic Games • 10. The Future of The Caravan • 11. Lessons Learned and the Way Ahead