 “I am proud and happy to proclaim
that you have presented to the world
the best Olympic Games ever.”
These words - spoken by then International Olympic Committee President, the late Juan Antonio Samaranch - confirmed what Australians everywhere already suspected.
Sydney 2000 was an unforgettable fortnight of athletic achievement and national pride and ANZ Stadium, then Olympic Stadium, was the centrepiece.
Olympic Stadium highlights included:
- The Opening Ceremony which illustrated Australia's history and culture in spectacular fashion.
- Cathy Freeman's 400m triumph which brought a nation to its feet. Days earlier, Freeman had the honour of lighting the Olympic Cauldron.
- The three-medal haul (two gold, one silver) of Australian wheelchair racer Louise Sauvage.
- The rise - quite literally - of Tatiana Grigorieva who won silver for Australia in the women's pole vault.
- Australia's Jai Taurima long jumping his way to silver.
- Camaroon's historic victory over Spain in the Gold Medal Soccer Match.
- The Men's Marathon, the Games' last event, which started in North Sydney and finished inside Olympic Stadium with Gold going to Ethiopian Genzhnge Abera.
- The Closing Ceremony celebrating an unforgettable Games and including Samaranch's now famous words.
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