This month, we closed out our year-long celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics on the podcast. Did you miss any of our stories? Here is a complete list of all the episodes from the year:
The Can-Do Olympic Bid and Iconic Opening Ceremonies
We started our coverage where every Games begins, with the bid process. Host city selection looked a little different back in the day. Then we go to the first party of the Games, the joyful Opening Ceremony that included the most nerve-wracking moment of the entire Olympics.
Glory and Disgrace on the Track: Cathy Freeman and Marion Jones
Cathy Freeman brought glory to the Aboriginal people of the host country while a doping scandal tarnished the career of American Marion Jones. It was the highest high and lowest low of the athletics competition.
The Debacle of Women’s Gymnastics
During the women’s all-around, the vault was set at the wrong height. The centimeter-sized mistake ruined the integrity of the competition and crushed the Olympic dreams of many of the gymnasts involved. And that wasn’t even the only controversy in women’s gymnastics.
Meet Millie, Olly, and Syd, the three official mascots, plus we introduce you to a rather unexpected and beloved unofficial mascot. Then we explore why death seems to loom large in our sailing stories.
Olympic Football and Women’s Weightlifting, Para Powerlifting
We love a good upset and both the men’s and women’s Olympic football tournaments delivered unexpected champions. Women’s weightlifting and para powerlifting made their Games debuts. The competitions created legends and legendary controversy.
The Cover-Up and the Comeback: ID Basketball and Olympic Cycling
Spain’s gold medal in intellectually disabled basketball is no doubt the greatest cheating scandal in Paralympic history. Olympic road cycling, too, likely suffered from cheating, though we explain why we will never know the whole truth.
The Thorpedo and the Experiment: Olympic Swimming and Wrestling, and Para Swimming
Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe, known as the Thorpedo, and Greco-Roman wrestler Aleksandr Karelin, nicknamed the Experiment, are legends in their sports. Thorpe dominated his races at Sydney 2000. Karelin faced a David vs. Goliath final against American Rulon Gardner. These stories take twists and turns we never expected.
Eventing, Para Sailing, and Wheelchair Rugby
We take a look at one of the toughest Olympic sports: eventing. Don’t think horseback riding can be that hard? You would oh so wrong. Plus we cover the two new sports at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics: para sailing and wheelchair rugby. Murderball time!
Better Than New: Triathlon, Women’s Pole Vault and Modern Pentathlon
The Sydney 2000 Olympics featured one new sport: triathlon; and two new events for women: pole vault and modern pentathlon. The new kids on the block brought Olympic-sized drama to the competition.
Paralympic Football 7-a-Side and Olympic TV Advertising
Television commercials made a big impression during Sydney 2000 and Nike courted controversy with its attempt at dark humor in its ad. The Paralympics included sports and events we no longer see, including football 7-a-side for players with cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injuries. How intense did that tournament get? Spoiler alert: very intense.
Rowing and Olympic Closing Ceremony
We found many amazing stories in rowing during the Sydney 2000 Olympics, but we picked women’s coxless pairs as the focus of our story. Then, we take a trip into the fever dream that is the Olympic closing ceremony.
Paralympic Closing Ceremony and Games Legacy
We review the final party of Sydney 2000 and take a look at the legacy of the Games over the last 25 years.
What Are the Top Olympics of the Past 50 Years?
More than one VIP called Sydney 2000 the greatest Games ever. What do we think? On our final episode, we came up with our list of Top 5 Summer Olympics of Our Lifetimes (roughly the past 50 years). In chronological order:
- Los Angeles 1984
- Barcelona 1992
- Sydney 2000
- London 2012
- Paris 2024
Do you agree? We want to hear which Olympics you would choose! Drop us a line and let us know!