Sydney 2000: 25 years since the ‘best Olympic Games ever’ – in pictures

Nova Peris poses with the Olympic flame in front of Uluru, in Kata Tjuta national park, during the torch relay.

Marine biologist Wendy Craig-Duncan carries the Olympic torch underwater on the Great Barrier Reef using a specially designed flare.

A Sydney 2000 Olympic Games official in one of the bedrooms in the athletes’ Olympic village in Homebush.

Surfer James Mohr in front of the beach volleyball stadium on Bondi beach that was built for the Olympics.

Olympic athletes Margaret Crowley and Lee Naylor model the new Australian Olympic track and field uniforms.

Olivia Newton-John passes the Olympic flame to tennis player Patrick Rafter in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

D Woolagoodja, a respected artist and Worrorra elder, created this giant Wandjina Namarali for the opening ceremony, sparking long-lasting interest in paintings from Mowanjum in the Kimberley region.

Cathy Freeman holds the Olympic torch prior to lighting the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony held at Stadium Australia.

John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John perform at the opening ceremony.

Young performer Nikki Webster swims among jelly fish in the ‘Girl & Reef’ segment of the opening ceremony.

The Australian Olympic team parade around the stadium.

Cathy Freeman, the final bearer of the Olympic torch, after lighting the cauldron during the opening ceremony.

The Australian team enter during the opening of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.

Sydney’s Darling Harbour and the since-removed monorail, five days before the opening of the Olympics.

The launch of the Bonds uniforms that were worn by the 50,000 volunteers and staff at the Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The cycling leg of the women’s triathlon in front of the Sydney Opera House.

The Sydney 2000 mascots – Millie, Syd and Olly –make a grand entry at their first public appearance.

Australia’s equestrian eventing team parading around the Sydney International Equestrian Centre on day four of the games.

Ian Thorpe holds aloft his gold medal after breaking the men’s 400m individual record with a time of 3:44.65.

Olympic gold medallists Todd Pearson, Michael Klim, Ian Thorpe and William Kirby take a victory lap at the Sydney International Aquatic Centre. The team set a world record of 7:07.05.

Australia’s Cathy Freeman walks a lap of honour, carrying the Australian and Aboriginal flags, after winning gold in the women’s 400m finals.

Freeman surrounded by photographers after in the women’s 400m final.

A view of the Olympic Stadium during the men’s pole vault final of the athletics competition.

Ian Barker and Simon Hiscocks of Great Britain compete in the mixed skiff 49er sailing competition at Rushcutters Bay Marina.

Fans cheer on Australia against Brazil in the final of the women’s beach volleyball in Bondi.

A crowd watches the beach volleyball men’s quarter-final between Portugal and Switzerland at the Beach Volleyball Centre in Bondi.

Competitors line up for the start of the women’s triathlon at the Opera House during day one of Games.

Singer Kylie Minogue and young Olympic opening ceremony star Nikki Webster stand together on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Supporters of the Australian swim team in the stands.

Skipper Jenny Armstrong (right) and Belinda Stowell (left), the Australian 470 women’s sailors, in action.

Fatso the wombat, the unofficial mascot of the Sydney Olympic Games, at Olympic Park.

Stadium Australia, including the Olympic flame and the crowd, during the men’s hammer throw final.

The Australian Hockeyroos, after defeating Argentina 3-1, took gold for a second time after winning gold in Atlanta in 1996.

Band Savage Garden performing at the closing ceremony.

Roy Slaven and HG Nelson prepare the crowd for the commencement of the closing ceremony.

Midnight Oil peforming at the closing ceremony.

Kylie Minogue is carried through the crowd on a surfboard by a group of surf life savers at the closing ceremony.

Revellers at the closing ceremony.

The closing ceremony fireworks for the 2000 Olympic Games erupt over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.