In 2000 Sydney hosted the Summer Olympics, marking the second time the Games had ever been held "Down Unda" (the other being 1956 Melbourne). Lasting from Sept. 15 to Oct. 1, these were also the second Games that took place in the spring (Southern Hemisphere) and the most recent held outside the traditional July-August window. Featured here is an unused torch from the 2000 Sydney Summer Games.

Comprised of steel and aluminum, this lovely white and aqua torch measures just over 30" long and 4" at its widest. It is designed by Blue Sky Design and manufactured by G.A. & L. Harrington Pty Ltd. The tree layers represent earth, fire and water and its overall aesthetic drew Aussie influence from the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, and the boomerang. The Sydney Games emblem is stamped prominently at the top white section of the torch.

These Games were considered one of the best organized and most exciting ever, introducing the world to a 15-year-old Michael Phelps who was overshadowed in the pool by Australia's own Ian Thorpe ("Thorpedo"). The torch relay passed within an hour's drive of 85% of Australia's population and traveled over 27,000 km, making it the longest in Olympic history. It was quite an ordeal that lasted four months and included 13,400 torchbearers, ending with Aborigine track and field star Kathy Freeman igniting the Olympic flame. Aside from some fingerprints from handling, the unused torch presents essentially in mint condition. It even includes its original round display stand that so few come with.