Remembering Cathy Freeman 25 years ago

25 years ago today billions around the world watched on their TV’s as Indigenous superstar Cathy Freeman lit the Olympic flame to announce the beginning of the Games of 2000.

It was a momentous night at the Olympic Stadium at Homebush in Sydney’s western suburbs, signalling the start of what are regarded even today as the ‘best’ games there has been.

Freeman brought a whole nation together winning her Olympic gold – and as Australian Olympic Committee president Ian Chesterman said today there were also two other main factors that saw it become a roaring success.

Cathy Freeman in action during the Women’s 400m Finals winning Gold. (AAP PHOTO/Dean Lewins).

“One is the volunteers and the friendliness of the welcome, the genuineness of the welcome,” he said.

“The other pivotal thing was the success of the home team.

“We constantly repeat that the success of a home Games requires the success of the home team.

Cathy Freeman holds the torch aloft after igniting the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games in Sydney Friday, Sept.15, 2000. (AP Photo/POOL)

“That’s something which was understood back in 2000 – we saw a major step-up in government support for our Olympic sports leading in to Sydney 2000.

In Sydney, Australians won 58 medals – the most at any Olympics – including that never to be forgotten run from Freeman in that iconic running suit.

And of course that night under the stars of the southern hemisphere when she lit the Olympic flame.

Cathy Freeman walks a lap of honour, carrying the Australian and Aboriginal Flags, after winning Gold in the Women’s 400m Finals. (AAP PHOTO/Dean Lewins).

Cathy Freeman ignites the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony for the Summer Olympics in 2000 at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney. (AP Photo/Victoria Arocho)

Olympic champion Cathy Freeman pictured in February last year. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)