Volunteers honored as post-Olympic revelry continues

More than 47,000 people performed unpaid work during the Sept. 15-Oct. 1 Games, including the opening and closing ceremonies. International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch described the whole workforce as the most dedicated and friendly ever.

The Olympics concluded Sunday night with a spectacular fireworks display over the landmark Sydney Harbor Bridge, although festivities have continued unabated, with a party for the athletes on Monday, a parade for the athletes Tuesday and a thankyou parade to the workforce on Thursday. The parade ended with a lunch and concert at the Domain, a park in inner-city Sydney.

Olympics Minister Michael Knight, who announced his intention Wednesday to quit politics at the end of the year, said it was the volunteers who gave the games a friendly face and made waiting in queues bearable for spectators.

New South Wales state premier Bob Carr paid tribute to the volunteers, admitting they made a significant contribution to helping his government stage the games.

"What you did, you did for free, but it is worth millions of dollars to Australia," he said. Many of the volunteers will return to Sydney to help out at the Oct. 18-29 Paralympics.

(klei/AP)