Glory Roll of Honour
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Limited Edition of 500 Worldwide
Personally Signed by: 26 Gold Medallists
Officially licensed and endorsed by:
The Australian Olympic Committee
Framed Size: 1500mm x 1000mm
The spectacular lithographic release, 'Glory', boasts incredible sports photography from the 2000 Olympic Games… from the awe-inspiring Opening Ceremony, through 16 days of unforgettable action, to the emotional Closing Ceremony.
The hand-signatures of every gold medallist have been placed around the centrepiece - with the hockey and water polo teams being represented by their captains – along with photographs from every gold medal presentation. Selected highlights have been beautifully embossed in gold, along with special gold filet and an evocative written tribute that captures the real spirit of 'our Games'.
PricewaterhouseCoopers Authenticity and a substantial frame a full 9cm thick complete a truly magnificent, defining piece. Only 500 individually numbered editions of Glory will be ever made available.
Day 1
On the evening of Saturday, September 16, 2000, Australia's Ian Thorpe raised his long arm to acknowledge the delirious cheering of his hometown crowd after propelling his sleek, black-suited frame to victory in the 400 metres freestyle event at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. An audience of 17500 people, the largest swim crowd ever assembled in Australia, saw him break his own world record by .74 seconds, winning in 3 minutes, 40.59 seconds.
He went on to further triumph in the pool to emerge as Australia's most successful swimmer of the games with a haul of 3 gold and 2 silver medals.
On the same night, four Australian swimmers; Michael Klim, Chris Fydler, Ashley
Callus and Ian Thorpe stunned the swimming world. In an extraordinary performance, the Men's 4 X 100 metre freestyle relay team broke two world records in the one race to claim the gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Leading off, Michael Klim broke the 100 metre individual world record, lowering it from 48.21 seconds to 48.18.
When Ian Thorpe touched at the end, the team had smashed the relay world record, lowering it from 3.15.11, to 3.13.67. An audience of 17500 people, the largest swim crowd ever assembled in Australia, witnessed the four Australians inflict defeat on the United States team for the first time ever in this event, in Olympic history.
Day 2
On Sunday, September 17, 2000, Michael Diamond of Australia became a two-time Olympic hero when he successfully defended the gold medal he won in Atlanta with a commanding victory in the Men's Trap Shooting event at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. With a rock-steady hand and ice-cold nerve he hit all of the targets without a single miss in the final, finishing five shots clear of his nearest rival. After the presentation he dedicated the victory to his late Father.
Day 3
On the evening of Tuesday, September 19, 2000, Australia's 4 X 200 Metre Freestyle Relay stamped their name into the record books. The four sprint powerhouses launched an all-out attack on the world record mark in a devastating gold medal-winning performance at the Sydney Olympic Games. Ian Thorpe
launched the assault with a blistering first 200 metres, followed by Michael Klim, Todd Pearson and Bill Kirby who each turned the screws further on an overmatched, and outclassed finals field.
The world record was theirs in an astonishing time of 7min.07.05sec.
Day 4
Tuesday, September 19, 2000, Australia galloped to gold for the third successive time in Olympic competition, with an inspirational victory in the Equestrian 3-day team event. Matt Ryan on Kibah Sandstone, Andrew Hoy on Darien Powers, Phillip Dutton on House Doctor and Stuart Tinney on Jeepster held off the Great Britain team to secure the gold medal with a score of 146.8, to Great Britain's 161. The U. S. team took the bronze on 175.8. Andrew Hoy created history by joining Dawn Fraser in becoming only the second Australian to win a gold medal in the same event in three successive Olympic Games.
That evening, Australia's golden girl of the pool, 'Madame Butterfly', Susie O'Neill; spread her wings, and spread her magic beyond her favourite butterfly event and stamped a golden touch on the 200 Metre Freestyle event at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. In an electrifying performance, she held off her rivals to claim the gold medal in 1min.58.24sec., touching out the second place-getter by just .08 seconds.
A rapturous home crowd accorded her a standing ovation as she accepted the medal.
Day 5
Simon Fairweather claimed Australia's first archery medal of any kind in over 100 years of Olympic competition. The nation held its breath as he drew back on his bow for the final time in the Men's Individual competition late on Wednesday, September 20. Like the 55 others he had shot that day, his last arrow flew straight and true to claim a landmark gold medal.
Day 6
On the evening of Thursday, September 21, 2000, Australian riders Scott McGrory, and Brett Aitken stormed to victory in the madison cycling event. In a courageous display of endurance and spirit, McGrory and Aitken placed in 9 of the 12 sprints. On the final tumultuous lap they narrowly missed disaster by avoiding a race fall by a matter of centimeters. With both riders battling personal adversity, their victory in this gruelling event made it one of the most vibrant and inspiring moments of the Sydney Olympic Games.
Day 8
Like the Melbourne Cup, the Olympic 1500 Metre Men's Freestyle race has become an event that stops the nation. On Saturday, September 23, 2000, Grant Hackett joined an elite honour roll of Australian 1500 metre gold medallists, stretching back to Andrew 'Boy' Charlton.
The race became a personal odyssey for Grant Hackett who overcame questions about his form and a resurgent Kieren Perkins along with the finest 1500 metre swimmers in the world. Never beaten over the distance since 1997, he lined up against the world's best… and led the race form start to finish.
That evening, the Australian women's team created history by becoming the first-ever gold medallists in women's water polo, which was making its debut for at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
It took until the last possible moment for the Australians to secure victory in a thrilling match that was won in the last second for a scoreline of 4 – 3.
In the end, it was fitting that the country, and the team, who had fought hardest for the sports inclusion at Olympic level, claimed its first gold medal.
Day 10
On Monday, September 25, 2000, on the famous sands of Bondi Beach, the Australian Beach Volleyball pair of Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst jumped, dived and spiked their way to glory in the gold medal contest against Brazil.
In a drama-charged match, the fortunes swung wildly with Brazil opening a commanding lead in both sets. However, the Australian duo fought back each time, and, urged on by a crowd of 10,000 packing the pulsating Bondi Stadium, they nosed ahead in each of the sets to claim an inspiring victory over the reigning world champions, 12 – 11, 12 – 10.
It was for many Australians, the most anticipated event of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. When Cathy Freeman took her mark on the night of Monday, September 25, 2000 in the 400 metre final, an entire nation held it breath. For many, it was also the most expected victory of the Olympics.
Just 10 days earlier she had become the first woman to light the Olympic cauldron after having the torch passed to her by a pantheon of great Australian female athletes.
49.13 seconds later, as an exhausted and overwhelmed Cathy Freeman slumped gently to the track, it had become a victory that rose above the sporting realm to have a real significance to the nation. Freeman in her otherworldly suit fulfilled her destiny and claimed the most personal of victories… for herself, for her country, and for all of it peoples.
It also brought the 100th gold medal to Australia in Olympic competition.
Day 12
On Wednesday, September 27, 2000, Lauren Burns made Olympic history when she kicked her way to victory in the under-49 kilogram final, thereby earning the first gold medal ever to be awarded in the new Olympic sport. Before a cheering crowd of hometown supporters at the State Sports Centre, Homebush, she defeated Cuban fighter, Urbia Melendez Rodriguez in the final after having beaten the reigning world champion and junior world champion on her path through the earlier rounds.
Day 13
The next day, on the famous waters of Sydney Harbour, Australia claimed victory in the Men's and Women's 470 Class, winning two gold medals. Creating their own slice of Olympic history, the Women's pair of Jenny Armstrong and Belinda Stowell became the first Australian women to win an Olympic medal in a sailing event. The fact that it was a gold medal took Australia's Sydney 2000 total to a record 15 gold medals, the most it had won at any Olympic Games.
Under the same high blue skies, the Men's pair of Tom King and Mark Turnbull also sailed to victory. With a partisan crowd on Bradley's Head cheering them on, and the Australian flag bulging on a full spinnaker, they kept in touch with the leading American boat, to finish third in the final race of 11 races, but first overall to claim the 2nd gold medal.
Day 14
On Friday, September 29, 2000, Australia's champion women's hockey team defeated Argentina 3 – 1, to claim what many had regarded as the most inevitable gold medal of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. But for the most dominant team on the international stage over the past 8 years, it was no certainty, and never an easy victory. However, their passage to the gold medal was not marred by defeat, having won every match with the trademark fury of their offense, and their wall-like defense blunting every opposition attack.
2000 Australian Olympic Team: A lifetime of memories in 16 fabulous days
When Juan Antonio Samaranch announced 'the winner is Syd-er-ney', what started as a dream became an intense 7-year journey. Finally, on Friday September 15, as the torch was borne triumphantly into the Stadium to ignite the be Olympic Cauldron, the journey drew to a close, heralding the start of the biggest and most thrilling Olympic Games the world has ever seen.
Who could forget that breathtaking moment when a slim, shimmering figure in an
otherworldly suit stood before this world, encircled by the Olympic flame, uniting fire and water, past and present, ancient traditions and modern aspirations.
For two extraordinary weeks Sydney and Australia reigned supreme. Mesmerised, the world watched as young demi-gods of sport set new records and battled for medals that would bring glory to their countries.
For Australia the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games signalled global recognition – not just as a great sporting nation – but as a people with the talent and confidence to undertake anything… and succeed brilliantly.
The Olympic movement gave Australians the opportunity to welcome the world.
Generations of Australians will remember how we met that challenge.
These premium collectables commemorate not only the athletes of the XXV11 Olympiad, but all of the unsung heroes who helped create 'The Best Olympic Games Ever'.
All Australians were a part of these Games, our Games, and truly the athletes Games. Fierce emotions, incredible triumphs and heart-stopping moments bound a nation together during an incredible 17 days.
Moments that now have a permanent place in the culture and history of Australia.
Moments of wonder,
moments of inspiration,
moments… of glory.