High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympics was described by IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch as the most beautiful ceremony the world has ever seen. Held on the evening of Friday 15 September 2000, the Opening Ceremony represented everything Australian, from sea creatures and flora/fauna to lawn mowers and other Australian cultural icons. The Opening Ceremony had a cast of 12,687 people who took part in the ceremony. Consistent with normal major production management together with co-ordination of the ceremony with over 12,000 performers, the Sydney Symphony mimed the music on the night. This was to insure against the forecast rain and windy conditions. The music was pre-recorded in the preceding weeks under studio conditions ensuring the flawless quality of the music broadcast around the world on this night.