Australia has farewelled the 2020 Toyko Games and celebrated its athlete’s by lighting up the Sydney Opera House with images of this years Olympians and Paralympians. 

During a five and a half-hour live stream on Sunday, all 665 of Australia’s Paralympians and Olympians had their faces and names projected onto the Sydney Opera House for 30 seconds. 

Two official photographers captured thousands of shots from the live stream along with Olympic and Paralympic montages and “Thank you Tokyo” shots.

These personalised photographs will be offered to each athlete, as an Australian-made token to remember their Tokyo experience. 

The ABC reported that according to the NSW government it was the largest collection of images ever projected onto the Sydney Opera House. 

The NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet managed the project, working with the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia, Sydney Opera House and The Electric Canvas, to make the grand spectacle come alive. 

Australia Olympic Committee (AOC) CEO, Matt Carroll AM, said: “This Olympic Team is not only one of the most successful Teams to leave Australia but one that inspired the nation over the 16 days of the Games.”

“A Team that faced down the adversity of the pandemic and represented Australia with true sportsmanship and modesty.

“A truly diverse team with the highest participation of women and the most Indigenous athletes ever selected.

“I would like to thank the NSW Government for giving us this historic opportunity to showcase our extraordinary team on one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks.

“This is a really great tribute to a team Australians will celebrate for decades to come,” he said. 

Caroll said that inspiring athletes like 5-time gold medallist Emma McKeon, flag bearer Patty Mills, Peter Bol’s uplifting race and Cedric Dubler looking after his mate, “opened the hearts and minds of Australians showing us that sport can bring us all closer together and celebrate what is great about this nation.”

The Opera House tribute not only celebrated the athlete’s performances but triumph in a year permeated with uncertainty and hardship caused by COVID-19, and in achieving equal cash prizes for Paralympians. 

Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin, said: “Not only do we thank each athlete, but we thank Japan for putting on an incredible Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

“Thank you Tokyo, for showing the true Olympic spirit.

“Australia’s landmark building will shine for all of you,” Mr Harwin said.