by Jill Jaracz
Today marks the 25th anniversary of what was dubbed “Magic Monday” at Sydney 2000, arguable the greatest night ever for an Olympic athletics meet. Over 112,000 fans packed Stadium Australia to see nine finals, including the first women’s Olympic pole vault competition, Michael Johnson’s repeat gold medal, and Australia’s own Cathy Freeman winning the 400m.
NBC Sports Olympic editor Nick Zaccardi joined us on Keep the Flame Alive podcast in 2020 to relive what made this night legendary for the 20th anniversary of Sydney 2000. Do these moments continue to stand the test of time? Let’s dive into the highlights of Magic Monday — and why they still matter.
Cathy Freeman’s Golden Moment in the Women’s 400m
Athletes have told us what it means to win a medal at a home Games; however, the pressure to perform is more intense. Cathy Freeman was no different. The cauldron lighter for these Games, Freeman felt the weight of the entire nation on her shoulders as she zipped up the hood on her iconic green and gold racing suit and took her mark for the 400m.
The silver medalist at Atlanta 1996, she was racing for gold at home. The crowd roared as she raced around the track and powered down the final straight to cross the line in first place. It was an incredible victory for Freeman and the nation–you can see how the magnitude of the moment affects her, and as she took her victory lap with the Australian and Indigenous flags, the country cheered her on.
This victory has been one of Sydney 2000’s absolute iconic moments, and one that is top of mind whenever you think of these Games.
Watch the race:
Why It Matters:
Freeman’s win was the first Olympic gold medal for an Indigenous Australian, and while that feat alone is noteworthy (we love a good “first medal” story), these Games shed light on the struggles of Indigenous people in Australia. Freeman’s gold gave hope for reconciliation in the country.
Michael Johnson Defends His Olympic Title
American Michael Johnson and his iconic golden spikes were the stars of Atlanta 1996, as he won the 200m and 400m in the Centennial Olympics. At Sydney 2000, he was back to defend his title in the 400m. While Johnson quickly made up the stagger on most runners, he didn’t take the lead until the final curve and then blew everyone out of the water to the finish. His win made him the first man to win back-to-back Olympic 400m titles and his fourth Olympic gold medal.
Watch the race:
Why It Matters:
The 400m is a beast of a race (we learned this from Andrew Rock). The fact that Johnson could repeat on the Olympic stage at his third Olympics elevated him to rare air among Olympic champions.
Gebrselassie vs. Tergat: A 10,000m Classic
While running 25 laps around a track might not sound exciting, the finish of the men’s 10,000m at Sydney 2000 was electrifying. It came down to a sprint between Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia and Kenyan Paul Tergat of Kenya who both kicked with about 200m to go and somehow found another kick on the final straight. Yet at the finish, Gebrselassie edged ahead and crossed the finish just .09 ahead of Tergat, winning his second consecutive Olympic title. Tergat won his second consecutive silver.
Watch the race:
Why It Matters:
As a two-time Olympic champion in the 10000m, Gebrselassie cemented his legend among the greats, which included Paavo Nurmi and Emil Zatopek. This race remains the gold standard of distance running strategy. While Gebrselassie and Tergat were rivals who dominated distance running for 14 years, they were also friends who both worked to elevate the sport and test the limits of physical endurance.
Jonathan Edwards Finally Strikes Gold in the Triple Jump
Triple jumper Jonathan Edwards of Great Britain was the reigning world record holder (a world record that’s still standing 30 years later), but the best he’d managed to achieve at the Olympics was silver at Atlanta 1996. Sydney 2000 was his fourth and final Olympics. On Magic Monday, Edwards delivered his own magic, jumping to 17.71m in the third round to win the gold medal and finally stand atop the Olympic podium.
Watch the event:
Why It Matters:
Edwards showed great perseverance and longevity in an event that isn’t typically top of mind for many Olympics fans. He worked for years to maintain elite levels of fitness and finally achieve his goal. We always love it when an older athlete comes out on top, and Edwards was the oldest men’s triple jumper at Sydney 2000.
Women’s Pole Vault Makes Its Olympic Debut
Women finally got the opportunity to pole vault at the Olympics at Sydney 2000. Alison covered the details of the competition on our history episode this month, which saw American Stacy Dragila crowned the first Olympic champion.
Watch the event:
Why It Matters:
Sydney 2000 was another Games where organizers looked to boost women’s events, giving the opportunity for more women to participate in the Games. Women’s pole vault was a sign of this progress, and with Olympic coverage, more women became involved in the sport, including our own Katie Moon, who would also go on to be an Olympic champion 20(+1) years later.
Legacy of Magic Monday
When the Sydney 2000 Olympic organizers put together this schedule, they probably dreamed of a night like this–and for it to come to fruition cemented Sydney’s legacy as one of the greatest Olympics of all time. This evening–where even small field events got tremendous cheers–showed what the Olympics are all about. Athletes revealed their mettle and resilience as they ran faster, flew higher, and went farther to test the limits of what humans can do, and in doing so, they brought the country–and world–together in sport.