Terry Carr: Surprise for former Sydney Olympic volunteer after his image was chosen for banner
A former volunteer at the Sydney Olympic Games was surprised to find his face plastered across huge banners to commemorate the event 20 years on.
Manly
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It was a bit of a shock for Terry Carr to see his face next to elite athletes Cathy Freeman and Louise Sauvage on new banners flying at Sydney Olympic Park.
The image of him taken 20 years ago was chosen to mark the 20th anniversary of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The Allambie Heights man was a volunteer at the games.
Along with Mr Carr’s face is athlete Cathy Freeman, Paralympian Louise Sauvage and the Olympic cauldron.
There are also larger then life-size images of just himself flying on banners at the park too.
The artwork was created by 18-year-old Tomas Ramos from Westfields Sports High School.
Mr Carr’s image was chosen to represent the thousands of volunteers who were such an integral part of the Olympics.
“It was such a fun time,” Mr Carr said. “I really enjoyed the camaraderie. It was a great environment.”
Mr Carr was part of the logistics crew so he got to see a lot of behind-the-scenes action too.
He said the highlight was observing elite athletes training, warming up and relaxing.
“I saw Maurice Greene after his 100m victory and got to hold his medal as he went past,” he said.
“I also shook hands with the soccer players from Spain and Cameroon who were playing for the gold medal, and I was in a lift with Savage Garden before the closing ceremony.”
Mr Carr said he has never been depicted in an art work and he felt it was a real honour.