{"id":422819,"date":"2025-09-16T04:29:51","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T11:29:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=422819"},"modified":"2025-09-16T04:35:51","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T11:35:51","slug":"olympic-throwback-a-look-back-at-australias-epic-relay-triumph-of-2000-and-an-air-guitar-concert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/olympic-throwback-a-look-back-at-australias-epic-relay-triumph-of-2000-and-an-air-guitar-concert\/","title":{"rendered":"Sydney Games 25th Anniversary: Australia’s Epic Olympic Relay Triumph and an Air Guitar Concert (Video)"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Look Back at Australia’s Epic Olympic Relay Triumph of 2000 and an Air Guitar Concert<\/strong><\/p>\n

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the start of the swimming competition at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. The opening night was a celebratory affair for the host nation, capped by a victory in the 400-meter freestyle relay.<\/i><\/p>\n

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More than 17,000 passionate Australian fans stood and yelled, anticipating a moment their country had long envisioned. The Sydney Aquatic Center was the focal point of the 2000 Olympic Games<\/a>, and as the first night of competition on Sept. 16 neared its end, those who filled the stands in this swimming-crazed country sensed it was time for something special to unfold. In a little more than three minutes, the atmosphere would be either pure jubilation or complete sorrow. Here, we look back to what has become known as the Air-Guitar Race.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hope is a powerful sentiment. In the months leading into the 27th Olympiad, Australia was deemed a major threat to the United States\u2019 stranglehold on the 400 meter freestyle relay title. With two bona fide stars, veteran Michael Klim<\/strong> and teenage sensation Ian Thorpe<\/strong>, the Aussies featured stellar bookend options for the relay, with the middle legs of Chris Fydler<\/strong> and Ashley Callus<\/strong> more than reliable. With the necessary ingredients present, Australia was confident it could capture\u2014on home soil\u2014the biggest Olympic victory in its history.<\/p>\n

The 400 freestyle relay became part of the Olympic schedule at the 1964 Games in Tokyo, and in seven editions of the event (the relay was not contested in 1976 and 1980), only the United States had mined the gold medal. Actually, Team USA dominated the event, winning by an average margin of more than two seconds. Adding to the lore of the United States was the fact that it also was a perfect 8-for-8 at the World Championships.<\/p>\n

Conversely, Australia didn\u2019t have much of a tradition in the event, having won just a silver medal (1984) and two bronze medals (1964\/1968) in Olympic action. A positive for Australia, however, was its silver medal behind the United States at the 1998 World Championships. It was a loss by just 28-hundredths and came without the presence of Thorpe, who was certainly going to have an impact on the outcome in Sydney. More, the Aussies edged the United States at the 1999 Pan Pacific Championships, and while that competition didn\u2019t feature a worldwide field and the U.S. was without some big names, it was still a confidence boost.<\/p>\n

However, Australia\u2019s optimism hardly dented the American belief that an eighth consecutive Olympic title was on the horizon. Despite the knowledge that this Olympiad would likely produce its biggest challenge, the United States boasted a daunting lineup of Anthony Ervin<\/strong>, an upcoming sprint star, Neil Walker<\/strong>, Jason Lezak<\/strong> and Gary Hall Jr<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The son of a three-time Olympian by the same, Hall was equally known for his ability in the water and an oversized personality. Hall was never afraid to express his opinions on a variety of topics\u2014from doping to the opposition\u2014and brought to the blocks a showmanship that was unusual for a generally conservative sport. One of Hall\u2019s calling cards was wearing Apollo Creed-esque shorts, seen in the Rocky movies, and performing a shadow-boxing routine behind the starting blocks.<\/p>\n

After emerging from the gauntlet that is the United States Olympic Trials as the champion of the 50 freestyle and runnerup in the 100, Hall was slated to contest four events in Sydney\u2014two individual and two relays. His first event would be the 400 free relay, and Hall felt the United States would establish early momentum.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like Australia, in truth. I like Australians,\u201d Hall said in an Olympic diary he kept for Sports Illustrated<\/em>. \u201cThe country is beautiful, and the people are admirable. Good humor and genuine kindness seem a predominant characteristic. My biased opinion says that we will smash them like guitars. Historically, the U.S. has always risen to the occasion. But the logic in that remote area of my brain says it won\u2019t be so easy for the United States to dominate the waters this time. Whatever the results, the world will witness great swimming.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As the teams made their way to the deck, the Aussie crowd was already in a frenzy. Earlier in the night, Thorpe fulfilled the massive potential that had been placed upon his shoulders when he won the gold medal in the 400 meter freestyle, setting a world record of 3:40.59. The 17-year-old was nothing short of spectacular, beating Italian silver medalist Massimiliano Rosolino<\/strong> by nearly three seconds and American bronze medalist Klete Keller<\/strong> by more than six seconds. Racing in his own realm, Thorpe provided his home nation with much to celebrate, and delivered on his vast promise.<\/p>\n

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Ian Thorpe – Photo Courtesy: Adidas<\/p><\/div>\n

At the 1998 World Championships in Perth, a 15-year-old Thorpe became the youngest male world champion in history when he won the 400 freestyle. Simultaneously, he ignited conversation about becoming an Olympic champion and establishing himself as one of his sport\u2019s all-time greats. This speculation did not just come from journalists seeking an angle ahead of the Sydney Olympics, but also from high-ranking individuals within the sport.<\/p>\n

When asked about the potential of young athletes, most coaches will choose their words carefully, cognizant of not creating undue pressure. Don Talbot<\/strong>, Australia\u2019s head coach during the emergence of Thorpe, did not abide by that thought process. Rather, Talbot took a contrasting approach, speaking openly and audaciously about Thorpe\u2019s skill set.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never seen a better swimmer than him,\u201d Talbot said. \u201cHe\u2019s got a great feel for the water. He makes it look easy. His maturity, that\u2019s what you notice. He\u2019s 17, but he seems like he\u2019s someone in his 30s or 40s. It\u2019s almost spooky. It\u2019s genetics gone bloody crazy. He could be the swimmer of the century.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thorpe handled the pressure placed upon him with aplomb. Through his victory in the 400 freestyle, he proved he wasn\u2019t overwhelmed by having his image adorn the front of buildings and billboards, from having his name in countless headlines and from having an entire sporting venue chant, \u201cThorpey, Thorpey, Thorpey.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Thorpe\u2019s win in the 400 freestyle elated the Aussies in attendance\u2014and the millions watching on television\u2014the 400 freestyle relay carried greater significance. It was a chance for Australia to supplant the United States, and it meant that Thorpe, although supported by three teammates, was carrying a nation\u2019s hopes in his well-documented size-17 feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as I walked out there, it was like a gladiator walking into the Colosseum, hearing the sheer noise of the crowd,\u201d Thorpe said. \u201cI was ready to race.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Aside from the United States facing its biggest test in Olympic waters in the event, Hall\u2019s comments added to the race\u2019s intrigue. The Team USA veteran may have been complimentary of Australia as a country and recognized that a battle awaited, but he also predicted an American victory, taking a page out of the book of Joe Namath<\/strong>, the National Football League quarterback who famously predicted a New York Jets upset over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.<\/p>\n