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Friday, 15 September, 2000, 15:05 GMT 16:05 UK
Spectacular start for Sydney Games
Aboriginal athlete Cathy Freeman has lit the flame to officially open the 27th Olympics during a spectacular ceremony in Sydney.
Olympic chief Juan Antonio Samaranch described it as the "most beautiful opening ceremony of my presidency".
But organisers made light of an embarrassing technical hitch at the climax of the four-hour showpiece.
A whip-cracking horse rider got the ceremony underway, with Australian female sporting legends helping to light the Olympic flame at the ceremony's end.
The identity of the Olympian chosen to light the flame was a closely-guarded secret - and the organisers kept the suspense going until the very end as a series of former athletes passed the torch around the track, eventually reaching Freeman.
The 400 metres runner was a surprise, but popular, choice for what was meant to be a spectacular display of water and fire.
Things did not go according to plan however as the cauldron failed to make its planned ascent up a mechanical waterfall at the back of the stadium.
"It was always designed to stop at that time," artistic director David Atkins revealed. "The stop was supposed to be around 30-40 seconds, and tonight it just took a little longer."
Australian officials - keen to deflect attention away from the ever-present issue of drugs - had been desperate to put on a good show.
The unified team of North and South Korea - one of 199 at the Games - earned a standing ovation from the 110,000 spectators.
"G'Day Sydney," Samaranch said. "G'Day Australia. Yes, the Olympic Games are back Down Under."
Oaths were sworn to keep the Olympics free from drugs and doping, but competitors at these Games seem set to test that pledge to the limit.
The host nation's national anthem, Advance Australia Fair, boomed out around the stadium as the curtain-raising riders gave way to a dance routine designed to evoke visions of the Australian surf.
Nikki Webster - the 13-year old girl who was chosen to play out the unfolding story - then greeted Aboriginal tribesmen.
They were next on the scene as representatives of the indigenous people of Australia welcomed the world to their nation.
Australia's history was then depicted in dance, with flames and fireworks lighting up the Sydney sky before marching bands took centre stage.
Sailor Nikos Kaklamanikis carried the flag at the head of the Greek delegation, paving the way for the lengthy procession.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Matthew Pinsent was the standard-bearer for Great Britain as a smiling Team GB entered the arena.
But perhaps not surprisingly, the loudest cheers of the night were reserved for the Australians bringing up the rear at the end of a show lasting way past its scheduled three hours.
Focus will now turn to the real business of winning gold medals, though the 17-day Games has to stay clear of scandal to retain its credibility.
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