CDATA96 and Mapinfo show the way for the Olympic Torch relay
Census Information, mapping layers from CDATA96, and Mapinfo v5.5 helped the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) map the national route for the torch relay which covered more than 27,000 kilometres in 100 days. The same technology and information was also used in preparations for the paralympic torch relay.
Using mapping software and demographic information, SOCOG was able to ensure more than 85 per cent of the Australian population lived within a one hour drive of the chosen route, which took in 1000 towns across every state and territory.
Population statistics from the ABS were also used to determine and map where the lunchtime and evening celebrations would be held each day. The route was designed to finish each day in a major centre that had the capacity to accommodate the celebration and convoy crew accompanying the torch relay.
Mapinfo and CDATA96 were used to help in the selection process of the 11,000 torchbearers. 105 judging panels were set up across Australia based on Local Government Areas with approximately the same total population in each one so that everyone had a fair chance of being selected.
Mr Ant Burnett, SOCOG Torch Relay Mapping and IT Specialist said "We couldn't have created the Torchbearer selection process without Mapinfo and CDATA96, and it was invaluable as a back up for picking up discrepancies in the information on our database - it's as simple as that."
More information on the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Paralympics and sport in Australia is available on the ABS Culture and Recreation Theme Page.
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