On the occasion of the official unveiling of the 27th Olympiad, Steve Rider and Sue Barker are in Sydney's Olympic Stadium to present live coverage as the world's biggest sporting event once again gets underway.

Australian pop luminaries Olivia Newton-John and John Farnham are among artists who will be singing a diverse range of the country's songs, with more than 3,500 choristers also partaking in this grand inaugural ceremony, and Barry Davies is among the predicted 110,000-strong audience to provide commentary on the proceedings.

Highlights of the ceremony are being shown in tonight's first Olympic broadcast proper, which starts at 11.05pm.
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(S)
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Win a Rover Olympic special-edition car: page 30; Quentin Cooper's webwatch: page 43

(Following schedule may run late)

Choice: Sport
Olympic Games Opening Ceremony 8.45am BBC1
British sports addicts are now on the brink of 17 sleepless nights, but at least it's possible to watch the opening ceremony of the 27th Olympiad at a civilised hour. Sydney 2000's opener should contain the traditional elements of precision flag-waving and the release of something airborne, while Olivia Newton-John and John Farnham will be on vocal duty. If the Olympic torch survives the ambushes it has endured on its journey across the continent, it will complete the final stages amid maximum razzmatazz with the aid of Australia's great and good, including Greg Norman and Nicole Kidman. Coverage is hosted by Steve Rider and Sue Barker with commentary by Barry Davies. (JN)

Win a Rover Olympic special-edition car: page 30