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By Gwen O'Toole

Sydney Olympic Park’s ANZ Stadium has won the hosting rights for the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games, NSW Minister for Tourism Jodi McKay announced on Monday (April 27.)

 

The ceremony will include the largest athlete’s parade on earth, said McKay, consisting of approximately 25,000 competitors from over 100 countries following in the footsteps of Sydney 2000 Olympic athletes.

 

 

“The Masters Games will be a great event for Sydney and NSW and an Opening Ceremony at ANZ Stadium is a fitting way to kick-off festivities,” McKay said, adding that the games are expected to contribute close to $50 million to the state economy and provide another opportunity to showcase Sydney’s best sporting venues.  

 

ANZ Stadium CEO Ken Edwards said the venue will provide competitors with an Olympic-style experience in the area synnonymous with the best Olympics ever.

“Hosting such a large scale opening ceremony like this will bring back some wonderful memories. It is going to be a great event,” he said.

 

Out There Productions -- the creative producers behind the World Youth Day 2008 Papal arrival at Barangaroo, Evening Vigil and Final Mass at Randwick Racecourse -- will produce both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Games.

 

The Masters Games are the world’s largest multi-sport event and the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games has already received 7,900 competitor registrations.

 

Other key events associated with the Games include the Closing Ceremony at Darling Harbour, a special performance of the Mikado by Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House, a Health and Lifestyle Expo at The Dome and a Masters Gala Ball at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

 

For more information on the Games, click here.