The Mascot for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games is
Lizzie, the frill-necked lizard, a native Australian animal which inhabits the northern
part of the country. She was chosen to carry the Paralympic messages of performance, power
and pride to both Australian and international audiences because of the reptile's tenacity
and will to survive. The frill-necked lizard is so named because when predators come near,
or the lizard wishes to raise an alarm, it spreads a magnificent frill from its chin and
neck that is almost the length of its body. The lizard can run faster than a human jogging
and has survived in the harsh tropical climate of far northern Australia, where floods and
drought are common. The stylised version of Lizzie has her frill in the shape of Australia
in our sporting colours of green and gold. Her body is the ochre colour of the land.
Lizzie has been given the voice of Olivia Newton-John, an internationally-known Australian
singer, actor and entertainer who is now based in Los Angeles but grew up in Melbourne. Ms
Newton-John will make appearances with Lizzie leading up to the Sydney 2000 Paralympic
Games as they jointly spread the word about the achievements and excellence of athletes
with a disability.
The Mascot for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games is
Lizzie, the frill-necked lizard, a native Australian animal which inhabits the northern
part of the country. She was chosen to carry the Paralympic messages of performance, power
and pride to both Australian and international audiences because of the reptile's tenacity
and will to survive. The frill-necked lizard is so named because when predators come near,
or the lizard wishes to raise an alarm, it spreads a magnificent frill from its chin and
neck that is almost the length of its body. The lizard can run faster than a human jogging
and has survived in the harsh tropical climate of far northern Australia, where floods and
drought are common. The stylised version of Lizzie has her frill in the shape of Australia
in our sporting colours of green and gold. Her body is the ochre colour of the land.
Lizzie has been given the voice of Olivia Newton-John, an internationally-known Australian
singer, actor and entertainer who is now based in Los Angeles but grew up in Melbourne. Ms
Newton-John will make appearances with Lizzie leading up to the Sydney 2000 Paralympic
Games as they jointly spread the word about the achievements and excellence of athletes
with a disability.