My true love for the games actually began in 2000 . My Dad forked out thousands of dollars for us all go to go ( Sydney ) and I was sitting only 11 rows from the front for the Opening Ceremony , etc . It was probably the greatest moment of my life . I never had that pride for my country the way Americans do but at that moment I was so happy to be Australian .

Question: Why did it cost so much to travel ?
Answer: Because they had to book it last minute .Because they had to buy someone else 's tickets in order to go .Because they did n't use any accrued miles .Because they flew to another country .