The modern Olympic Games will always have a special place in the hearts of Australians. Australia is one of only two nations to have attended every Olympic Games since its inception in 1896. Australia’s loyalty to the Olympic movement was duly recognized when the city of Melbourne was successful in it's bid to stage the 1956 Olympic games. This film features archival footage from the 1956 Olympics including Betty Cuthbert's three Gold Medal winning performance, the final of the men’s 100m, 200m, 400m, 10,000m and the Marathon as well as scenes from the opening and closing ceremonies. The second-part compares the organization, facilities, and technologies of the 1956 games with the upcoming Sydney 2000 Olympics. While the technology behind the games has changed greatly, it is the spirit of goodwill and the determination and devotion of the competitors that has made the Olympic games the grandest sporting event in the world.
