3 minute read

Highlights from September 16 - day two of the Sydney Olympics.

WHAT HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 - DAY TWO OF THE SYDNEY OLYMPICS

Swimming - Australia ended the United States' dominance in the men's 4x100m freestyle by claiming gold. The US had won all previous seven gold medals in this event. Since 2000, Australia has won two bronzes in the event, in Beijing and Rio. Australia set two world records in the Sydney swim: Michael Klim with 48.18 seconds in the first leg, and the overall 3:13.67.

Swimming - Ian Thorpe won two gold medals on the first night in the pool. He was part of the 4x100m freestyle relay team and claimed the men's 400m freestyle one hour earlier. Both races were won in a world record time.

Triathlon - Michellie Jones became the first athlete representing Australia to claim an Olympic medal in triathlon, when she took silver in the women's event, the first time the sport was contested at Olympic level. It was Australia's first medal of the Games.

Cycling - Australia claimed silver and bronze at the velodrome, with Shane Kelly taking bronze in the men's 1km time trial, and Michelle Ferris taking silver in the women's 500m time trial. It was Ferris's second Olympic medal.

General - Australia won five medals on day one, (two gold, two silver and a bronze), still the best opening-day medal haul in the country's Olympic history.

* Information provided by Gracenote, a Nielsen Company