Probably because I'm no good at it. Many of these events actually have their own designated controller settings, all of which are provided both in the game's menu and also its accompanying instruction manual. Where the game really excels is in Olympic Mode. Building up strength, skills and morale through a careful series of assigned Gym Exercises which get progressively tougher, you train for a round of Qualifying tournaments in the hope of making the Olympic team in each of the 12 sports for your chosen nation. It's the section most likely to bear repeated gaming, and by far the most rewarding.
Performance improves quite visibly as each training session is successfully negotiated.
The commentary is limited, but effective in small doses. While this is nothing particularly new as such, Sydney 2000 is a well-timed and hugely enjoyable experience. One criticism is the fixed gender for the athletes in each sport. Runners are always male, while water events are exclusively performed by females.