Sydney 2000 Olympic Games - 4x100 Freestyle Relay - Australia Highlight

This is a tribute clip I made for Michael Klim after he won Gold in the 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, along with his Australian team mates Ashley Callus, Chris Fydler and Ian Thorpe, on 16th September 2000. Klim achieved two World Records in the one race.

The mens 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay in Sydney was one of the greatest races in Australian sporting history. The dominant Americans had never lost this event since it's inclusion into the Olympic swimming program in 1964. Even though the Australians knew they were in with a good chance of pushing the Americans they were never expected to win this race.

To build up the hype of the race beforehand, American sprinting legend and showman, Gary Hall Jnr, was quoted as saying "My biased opinion says that we will smash them like guitars." which made the victory by the Australians all the more sweeter. The Aussies couldn't have swum it better - it was their day. It was a great day for Australia.

Thanks to the brilliant commentary of Dennis Cometti and special comments from one of Australia's sprint swimming champions of the 1990's, Andrew Baildon, I was able to piece together the spine tingling race into this inspiring 4 mintute clip - which was only meant for Michael to keep as a momento of the occcasion back in 2000 and has now ended up on Youtube for others to relive or see for the first time and to be inspired and motivated by.

The song used is "Right Here, Right Now" by Fatboy Slim.
Album: You've Come a Long Way Baby - Released 1999.
Label: Skint
Also featured on Fatboy Slim's, The Greatest Hits - Why Try Harder.

The footage was 'borrowed' from Australia's 7 Network and the International Olympic Committe.

Unfortunately the audio went slightly out of sync when it uploaded, but I hope you enjoy it.

Cheers
Craig Barney Barnett

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Swimming;
• Sydney
• 2000;
• Olympic
• Games;
• Freestyle
• Relay;
• Gold
• Medal;
• World
• Record;
• Michael
• Klim;
• Ian
• Thorpe;
• Ashley
• Callus;
• Chris
• Fydler;
• Australia;
• USA;
• Gary
• Hall
• Jnr;
• Jason
• Lezak;
• Anthony
• Ervin;
• Neil
• Walker;
• Gustavo
• Borges;
• Alexander
• Popov;
• Barney;
• Craig
• Barnett

[bubudeals]

What a race, this was... Klim and thorpedo just killed it!! Sooo inspirational. Let me tell you, I am an Indian, but every once a while I come and watch this video to give me some inspiration, and to give me boost in my pursuits- I was very young when I watched this on TV and read about this in the newspapers... it is one of those events which truly epitomizes the essence of competition in sports !!

[barnstar]

@bubudeals -  Well said mate. Well said.

[TheDeanbean123]

BARNSTAR what a quality video, so inspirational, i used to swim for my county so i was good but not pro,and before every meet i would watch this video and feel like i would go and smash records. KLIM what a beast ,really would have loved to have been in sydney for this, but thanks to you i have this wicked video always to look at and smile if im having a bad day. I have been visiting this page for years !!! AND STILL GET A BUZZ EVERYTIME I WATCH !!!!!!!!

[barnstar]

@TheDeanbean123 - Thanks mate, I'm glad it helped motivate you. Even Eamon Sullivan used to watch it to pump himself up before a big race. It was a truly amazing race. I'm glad the clip still inspires people. I still get shivers up my spine when I watch it.

[Jagron]

Probably the greatest sporting video I've ever seen.

[cilla0804]

Came across this by accident but it has made my day. Great inspiration to use for our youth. Top sportsmen . Great role models guys . Thanks for the post.

[TheUnPlayable]

"I'm not behind but dey look nerfed" WTF

[SuperCrazybumblebee]

@maddooggg Only losers choke. The difference between Aussies and you is we recognise anyone who excells in sport regardless of where they are from. The Atlantic olympics were a joke with the Americans only cheering Americans. A young gymnast got a perfect 10 at those games and was met by silence. Disgusting. Bad sports. This race was won by champions, recognise that.

[SuperCrazybumblebee]

F&CK YEAH!!!!!!! Greatest race of all time. Was so damn proud to be an Aussie that night (well always really but you get my point). Awesome video. Am going for a run now this has motivated me.

[Niiiiization]

@TheSwimmingworld Meh :D I have no doubts.

[TheSwimmingworld]

@Niiiiization Not convinced :D

[verticalsmurf]

Awesome music choice.

I'm an idiot, this happened over 10 years ago and I'm still watching this thinking 'c'mon, c'mon, c'mon'...

[Niiiiization]

@TheSwimmingworld Its "A gold medalist earlier tonight", im 100% sure ^.^

[TheSwimmingworld]

@adamngakiri It really does sound as intervine to me. I can't place earlier as there is one syllable more..

[kingcow212]

Best video I have ever seen.