Cathy Freeman stole the show on an unforgettable day in Sydney that also featured success on the golden sands of Bondi.
On this day 20 years ago,Freeman carried the hopes of a nation on her shoulders. And she delivered.
I was there in the Sydney Olympic Stadium on that cool evening. Me and 112,000 others,all crammed in to watch Cathy Freeman carry the hopes of an entire nation.
At the 2000 Games,Tatiana Grigorieva was pole vaulting for silver at the exact time Cathy Freeman was racing for gold in the 400m. Grigorieva couldn't help but pause to watch history play out.
From years of sizing up vaulting horses in gyms around the world,the whole thing looked off to Allana Slater at the 2000 Olympics. And she was dead right.
Day nine:The whole of Australia will remain on the edge of its seat for the next 24 hours after Cathy Freeman's qualification for the 400m final.
Australia's dominance in the 1500m continued at Sydney 2000 but there was a new king in town.
A come-from-behind win in the pool on day eight at Sydney 2000 set up what would become one of the Games'most memorable moments.
If the spirit of the Olympics counts for anything,and if Australia is as big-hearted as it imagines itself to be,an apology should be given to Marie-Jose Perec.
Kieren Perkins is swimming faster than he has in four years while the Kookaburras begin to dream of hometown gold.
Day five:Marie-Jose Perec makes a dramatic exit,Simon Fairweather shoots his way to glory in the archery and there's a stunning upset at the Olympic pool.