Rivers of Light and Path of Champions

The Sydney Olympic Park “Path of Champions” is an initiative of the then Olympic Construction Authority and the Department of Sport, Recreation and Racing to commemorate the achievements of Australia’s sporting men and women in Olympic Sporting Disciplines. The individual paths are venue related, thus athletic prowess is celebrated at the Athletics Centre, and swimming, diving, water polo, and synchronized swimming achievements are celebrated at the Aquatic Centre. To qualify for inclusion an athlete must be an Olympic Champion (Gold Medallist), a World Champion or a World Record Holder in events recognized by the international athletics and swimming bodies.

The Aquatic Path of Champions currently consists of 95 plaques of Australian athletes and was installed for the official opening in January 1995.The Athletic Path of Champions currently consists of 13 plaques of NSW athletes and was installed for the official opening in March 1994. Located in the paving within these pathways is a series of designs representing flowing rivers. At night time a continuous pattern of glass bricks passing through the river design illuminates and changes colour. The resulting ‘River of Light’ highlights the Australian swimmers and athletes who have brought glory to Australia.