Australia had a golden start to the 2000 Sydney Olympics, topped off by a memorable night at the pool. Take a look back at all the action from day one of competition, 20 years on | phillutton78
So close... Brigitte McMahon celebrates as Michellie Jones watches on after the triathlon.Jones could almost taste that gold medal before she was overhauled late in a dramatic finale by Brigitte McMahon from Switzerland. Jones was the pre-race favourite and looked all over a winner before a dramatic conclusion where she couldn't sustain her lead on the run leg with the end in sight.
It was a good day for the Australian contingent with Loretta Harrop and Nicole Hackett fifth and ninth. Jones was brave and finds a spot in the history books as the first Olympic triathlon is run and won.Andrew Hoy has put Australia on the front foot to defend the three-day eventing title with a world-record equestrian performance that has the home nation in the lead.
A victory for Hoy would be his third-consecutive Olympic title after being part of the team in Barcelona in 1992 and Atlanta in 1996. Also riding for Australia in Sydney are Phillip Dutton, Matt Ryan and Stuart Tinney.The International Olympic Committee president has left Sydney after his wife Maria fell ill from cancer. We have since learned that she has sadly passed away and Samaranch will make his return to Sydney soon, with the Olympic flag to be flown at half-mast as a sign of respect.
It was Samaranch that famously declared Sydney to be the winning bidder for the 2000 Olympics so he will always have a special place in the hearts of Sydneysiders.It was the nearest of things but Michelle Ferris would win silver after being beaten right on the line by Felicia Ballanger of France in the women's 500m time trial. And Shane Kelly would pick up bronze with his ride in the 1km time trial.
Nobody could forget Kelly's mishap four years ago in Atlanta when his foot slipped off the pedal before the time trial start. He was the world-record holder and favourite then so it's a wonderful result to see him on the podium in Sydney.
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