Many would deem it appropriate that in the Centenary of Women in Olympic Games, it was a relay of women who carried the Olympic Flame through Stadium 2000 to light the Olympic Cauldron. Betty Cuthbert (athletics— four gold) and Raelene Boyle (athletics—three silver) handed off to Dawn Fraser (swimming—four gold, four silver) then Shirley Strickland de la Hunty (athletics—three gold, one silver, three bronze). Shirley passed the torch to Shane Gould (swimming—three gold, one silver, one bronze) who passed to Debbie Flintoff-King (athletics—one gold). Cathy Freeman (athletics—then one silver and current world 400m champion) lit the cauldron in spectacular style. In an odd quirk of fate, Cathy Freeman went on to win Australia’s 100th gold medal during this 100th year celebration of women in the Olympics.
