[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 121 (Tuesday, October 3, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9759-S9760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 364--COMMENDING SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA 
    FOR ITS SUCCESSFUL CONDUCT OF THE 2000 SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES AND 
   CONGRATULATING THE UNITED STATES OLYMPIC TEAM FOR ITS OUTSTANDING 
                 ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT THOSE OLYMPIC GAMES

  Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Stevens, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. 
Brownback, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Helms, and Mr. Bingaman) submitted the 
following resolution; which was ordered placed on the calendar:

                              S. Res. 364

       Commending Sydney, New South Wales, Australia for its 
     successful conduct of the 2000 Summer Olympic Games and 
     congratulating the United States Olympic Team for its 
     outstanding accomplishments at those Olympic Games.
       Whereas the city of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and 
     its residents have hosted a notably successful 2000 Summer 
     Olympic Games;
       Whereas the country and citizens of Australia have warmly 
     welcomed visitors and athletes from around the world;
       Whereas the ideals of the Olympic movement to promote 
     mutual understanding, friendship, and peace among nations 
     through sport have been clearly displayed during the 2000 
     Summer Olympic Games;
       Whereas the United States Olympic Team has represented the 
     United States with sportsmanship, honor, courage, and 
     excellence; and
       Whereas the United States Olympic athletes have competed at 
     the highest level of sport in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games, 
     earning 39 gold medals, 25 silver medals, and 33 bronze 
     medals: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the city of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 
     for its successful conduct of the 2000 Summer Olympic Games; 
     and
       (2) congratulates the United States Olympic Team for its 
     outstanding accomplishments at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games.
       Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy 
     of this resolution to the Mayor of Sydney, New South Wales, 
     Australia, and to the United States Olympic Committee.

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a Senate 
resolution commending Sydney, Australia on the success of the 2000 
Summer Olympic Games and congratulating the U.S. Olympic Team on their 
outstanding performance.
  Once every two years, we have the great opportunity to witness the 
world's finest athletes display astonishing feats of speed, strength, 
flexibility and grace. There is no main event quite like the Olympics 
and the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, left a 
remarkable impression on all of us over the past several weeks.

[[Page S9760]]

  On behalf of the United States Senate, I express deep appreciation to 
the city and residents of Sydney, Australia, for being such superb 
hosts for the Summer Olympic Games. Planning and organizing such a two-
week, multi-venue event--which is immediately followed by the 
Paralympic Games--is a daunting and monumental task. The Australians 
can be extremely proud of their efforts, which, by all accounts, were 
extraordinary.
  We in Salt Lake City will be striving to put on an Olympic Winter 
Games that equals Sydney in both efficiency and hospitality.
  We can also be very proud of the U.S. Olympic Team's outstanding 
accomplishments. Our athletes turned in exciting and memorable 
performances. All together, the U.S. Team earned 39 gold medals, 25 
silver medals, and 33 bronze medals--a total of 97 medals, which was 
the most of any country! This demonstrates extraordinary commitment to 
excellence. These athletes trained hard just to participate at this 
level of sport; many sacrificed other pursuits to attain the honor of 
competing in this premier sporting competition--the Olympic Games.

  There were many ``Olympic moments'' during these Games. For instance, 
who will ever forget Rulon Gardner, the Greco-Roman wrestler from 
Wyoming, who realized his Olympic dream by defeating the one-time 
invincible, and still great, Aleksandr Karelin, of Russia. Following 
the match, Gardner said, ``all I could do was do my best.'' Isn't that 
the beauty of the Olympic Games? Athletes all over the world giving it 
their all in competition against tremendous odds.
  Who could forget Misty Hyman upsetting the world favorite Susie 
O'Neill in the 200 meter butterfly? Those of us watching on television 
could plainly sense the sheer surprise and joy of this achievement.
  And, the athletes from other national teams captured our attention as 
well. Cathy Freeman of Australia, who stole the heart of her nation in 
the 400 meter race. China's Fu Mingxia, who made an amazing comeback to 
win gold in diving. And, Aleksei Nemov, who celebrated the birth of his 
child by winning a gold medal in gymnastics.

  I am very proud of the athletes from my home state of Utah, who 
represented our state with dignity and honor during the Olympic Games.
  Marcus Jensen and Doug Mientkiewicz, both of the Utah Buzz, were 
members of the U.S. baseball team that defeated the heavily favored 
Cuban baseball team--the first time in Olympic history that the Cuban 
team did not win the gold medal in baseball.
  Natalie Williams, also of Utah and a key player for the Utah Starzz, 
led the U.S. women's basketball team with 15 points in the Olympic 
basketball final to help the U.S. win its fourth gold medal in women's 
basketball since women's basketball became an Olympic sport in 1976.
  But, the Olympics is not only about winning medals. Logan Tom, from 
Salt Lake City who now attends Stanford University, led the U.S. 
Women's volleyball team to a terrific--and unexpected--fourth place 
finish. None of the sports handicappers gave this team much of a 
chance. Yet, they fought their way to the semifinals and through a 
tough five-set match with Russia.
  Utah is proud to be the host of the upcoming 2002 Winter Olympic 
Games in Salt Lake City. We hope to follow the example of the 2000 
Games in Sydney, Australia, with the same enthusiasm and excitement and 
the same devotion to the ideal of the Olympic movement, which is ``a 
belief that sport can break down barriers of language, culture, 
nationality, age and sex and build bridges between people all over the 
world as a means of promoting world peace.''
  Some have derided the Olympic Games as nothing more than 
commercialism run amok. They say that the news coverage is too 
positive. They say that the media glosses over the negative elements of 
the Games--doping, for example. They claim that the only thing that 
drives athletes is the prospect of product endorsements or professional 
contracts.
  Yes, Mr. President, these elements exist at the Games. It is sad that 
they do. There were displays of poor sportsmanship. There were cases of 
doping. There are, no doubt, those whose goals extend far beyond 
the Olympics just concluded.

  But, Mr. President, we can look at such incidents and say they taint 
the Olympics as a whole endeavor. Or, we can brush them aside as few in 
number and unrepresentative of our athletes as a body. We can erase one 
embarrassing spectacle of bad manners with the sight of Dot Richardson 
embracing her Japanese opponent. We can remember Marion Jones 
graciously congratulating the winner of the women's long jump, although 
Marion Jones is world class in every way.
  In conclusion, Mr. President, I strongly believe that the people of 
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, deserve our official recognition. I 
know what a monumental effort this was. And, let us commend our U.S. 
Olympic Team for their successes on the field as well as for their fine 
representation of our country. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
supporting this Senate resolution.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be placed 
on the Calendar.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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