They say we should use this time to learn something new – so we thought we’d offer up a history lesson free of charge!
We’re going to be recapping all the important sporting moments each and every day on the Ladbrokes Blog.
So if it’s AFL, NRL, Basketball, Cricket, Golf or even Wrestling, be sure to return each morning as we take a trip back through the history books to relive some of the great and important sporting moments in This Day In Sport!
2000 – Let the Games Begin!
Ever since Juan Antonio Samaranch uttered the words “The Winner is Sydney” back in 1993, Australia was waiting in anticipation for this moment and it delivered in spades.
Today marks 20 years since the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Not only does it invoke feelings of serious nostalgia, but it’s a fair call that the majority of readers of the Ladbrokes Blog are feeling quite old right now.
Years of planning, anticipation, scandal and pressure had endured in the lead up to Sydney but once the ceremony commenced, it was the beginning for arguably the greatest fortnight Australia has ever endured.
The Opening Ceremony began with lone rider Steve Jefferys rearing his Australian Stock Horse “Ammo”, after the first whipcrack, 120 riders entered Stadium Australia forming the five Olympic Rings.
Julie Anthony and Human Nature belted out the national anthem, and even the second verse got a run.
After the national anthem, the world was introduced to Nikki Webster who pretended to fall asleep on the beach and drifted off into a dream.
“Deep Sea Dreaming” saw Nikki Webster hoisted up in the air with overhead wires and amazing sea creatures around the stadium.
“Deep Sea Dreaming” saw Nikki Webster hoisted up in the air with overhead wires and amazing sea creatures around the stadium.
The Ceremony also celebrated indigenous cultures with its “Awakening” segment.
Yongu elder and songman Djakapurra Munyarryun guided Nikki Webster through the segment with Ernie Dingo narrating it.
A Nature segment followed, showcasing the Australian Outback and flora.
There was of course, the famous tin symphony segment, a tribute to Australia’s multiculturalism and tap dancing along with a large representation of the Sydney Harbor Bridge composed of sprinklers in the middle of Stadium Australia with the word “Eternity” in the middle of the bridge.
In the parade of Nations, 199 nations entered the area, including a unified North and South Korea and four athletes from the newly formed East Timor marking under the banner of “Independent Olympic Athletes”
Host nation Australia, with Andrew Gaze the flagbearer came out onto the Stadium with much fanfare.
After that, two of Australia’s finest in Olivia Newton John and John Farnham belted out “Dare to Dream.”
Speeches followed from Olympics Minister Michael Knight and IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch. The Games were officially declared open by Australia’s Governor General – Sir William Deane.
Vanessa Amorosi then sang her Games anthem “Heroes Live Forever’
Eight Australian Olympic legends carrier the Olympic Flag into the Stadium with a Greek Choir signing the Olympic Hymn.
The Opening Ceremony concluded with the lighting of the Olympic Flame.
As Tina Arena and the Sydney Children’s Choir performed “The Flame”, Herb Elliott brought the Olympic flame into Stadium Australia.
It was a tribute to 100 years of women’s participation in the Olympics with Betty Cuthbert, Raelene Boyle, Dawn Fraser, Shirley Strickland de la Hunty, Shane Gould and Debbie Flintoff-King before handing the torch to Cathy Freeman.
There was much speculation as to who would light the caldron, but Cathy was right person for the job.
Freeman climbed up a set of stairs towards a waterfall and ignited the caldron towards a ring of fire.
The caldron was then meant to rise from a ring of fire, but was suspended in the air for four minutes, rather than immediately rising adding some extra tension and drama to the night.
Eventually, the computer glitch was fixed, the cauldron made its way to where it was meant to be and the Games of the XXVII Olympiad were underway!