Sydney 2000 -- Highlights

Freeman wins the 400m final

Cathy Freeman (AUS-athletics) had the honour to light the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony of the Games. As an aboriginal medal hopeful, she symbolized the desire to reconcile the white and Aboriginal populations of Australia.

Ten days later, Cathy Freeman won the 400m final which was a clear victory before an ecstatic crowd.

The 17-year-old hero

Ian Thorpe (AUS-swimming), 17 years old, won the gold medal in the 400m freestyle by breaking his own world record. He then swam the anchor leg in the 4x100m freestyle and won again. He finally gained another gold medal with the 4x200m freestyle Australian relay team and a silver medal in the 200m freestyle.

Douillet wins again

David Douillet (FRA-judo) was worried that he might not be on top form. He had serious shoulder and back problems which kept him away from the tatamis for more than a year. He nevertheless won his second consecutive Olympic title, beating Shinichi Shinohara (JPN) at the end of an eventful final.