Swimming star Ian Thorpe had to get special permission to hit the hot spots - he is only 17 and had to get clearance to join the Australian swim team's celebrations. Many nations have their own favourite bars where those athletes whose competitions are over can let their hair down afterwards and party as long as they like. There is the Moose bar for the Canadians, Nick's Seafood Restaurant for the Greeks, Japan House and The South African Clubhouse. The Brazilians just never stop drumming at JBs. Darling Harbour is heaving with up to 250,000 partygoers every night who watch the Olympics on giant television screens, pack the bars and enjoy the fireworks that light up the luxury yachts along the quayside.
Kids leap in and out of the fountains.
Pin traders on the sidewalk swap their treasured Olympic pins. Australian fans parade in green and yellow warpaint, their national colours. But police fear the closing ceremony celebrations could turn a little too riotous. So they are planning bag searches in the Darling Harbour area to ensure revellers do not bring in their own drink supplies. Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House on the eve of the opening of the Olympics but for some athletes, the Games have finished and it's time to party.