It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since the Sydney Olympic Games, says Kaanju sprinter Patrick Johnson, who represented Australia on home soil for the first time.
“Actually, I think of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games … what an incredible event, and I was part of that. I was very honoured to be part of the team,” Johnson recalls.
“It was my first Olympic Games at home, and it’s something I’ll always cherish.
"It’s embedded in my memory, and I think in Australia’s core memory of what a sporting event should look like.”
For Johnson, the Games were more than just an athletic challenge - they were a celebration of community, culture, and belonging.
“There’s a lot of sense of connection. We knew the pressure of a home Olympics, but Sydney became such a friendly space.
"You couldn’t help but feel pumped. I was there to perform, but also part of something bigger.”
The 2000 Games were particularly significant for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with culture taking centre stage in the opening ceremony.
“For many of us, it was a sense of pride, connection, and recognition. We are part of Australia, and Australia is part of us.
"It was showcased through the ceremonies and the work done behind the scenes, and the whole world went, ‘Wow, that is Australia,’" Johnson says.
Competing in front of 100,000 people, Johnson remembers both the pressure and the pride of representing his country.
“People were trying to touch me, say, ‘I love you,’ because they saw the green and gold and the pride that comes with it.
"I was disappointed not to make the final - I wanted to be there against the top runners - but I learned to appreciate the experience, representing my family, my community, and my people.”
The camaraderie among Indigenous athletes was also a highlight.
“We were a family within a family. We supported each other. Watching Cathy Freeman cross the line, seeing her win - it was a unifying moment, not just for us as Indigenous athletes, but for all Australians. We win together.”
Johnson reflected on Freeman’s iconic lap with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.
“It was a moment we embraced as who we are. We’re proud. It showed the world what is possible, regardless of where you come from.”
Johnson hopes the legacy of Sydney 2000 continues to inspire future generations of Indigenous athletes, including those who will compete in Brisbane 2032.
“If kids can see it, they can dream it, and they can be it. We have to tell these stories to our communities.
"It’s about celebrating the journey and showing what’s possible for the next generation.”
