Date
September 15 - October 1
Teams
199
Country
Australia
Events
300
Athletes
10651
Olympic beginnings
Triathlon and taekwondo have joined the Olympic program. Susanthika Jayasinghe became the first Sri Lankan to win a medal when she took bronze in the 200 metres, while Birgit Fischer won two gold medals in the kayak event, becoming the first woman in any sport to win two medals 20 years apart. The women also competed in the powerlifting and modern pentathlon competitions for the first time.
Remontada of Kings
The Sydney Games witnessed wonderful uprisings, but the most amazing of them came with the signing of the American softball team. After losing three matches in a row, the team rallied to win the gold medal, achieving a series of victories over all the teams it had previously lost to.
Immortal heroes
Ryoko Tamura missed out in the 48kg judo final at the Barcelona and Atlanta Games, but came back to win gold in Sydney. Stephen Redgrave achieved sporting glory when he became the first rower to win gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games. In the 400 meter freestyle, 17-year-old Australian Ian Thorpe won the gold medal, breaking his own world record in front of a crowd.
Australian unit
Australian Cathy Freeman received the honor of lighting the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony. This poignant moment reflected a sincere desire for reconciliation with Indigenous Australia. Ten days later, Cathy won the 400m final and gave her home crowd an unforgettable delight.
National Olympic Committees: 199 (+4 Independent Athletes (IOA))
Athletes: 10651 (4069 women, 6582 men)
Sports events: 300
Volunteers: 46967
The media: 16,033 (5,298 print press, 10,735 broadcasters)
English 
العربية