'Can finally say it after 25 years': Cathy Freeman reveals 'the biggest moment' of the Sydney 2000 Olympics was 'an absolute mess'
An incredible 3.7 billion people from 220 countries tuned-in to watch the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Throw in 112,687 live spectators and it became not only a record-breaking Games but one of the greatest moments in Australian sporting history.
"The biggest moment" of the Opening Ceremony however, nearly ended in "disaster".
Catch the nerve-wracking moment in the video above.
Cathy Freeman recalls the moment that went "horribly" wrong. Nine
It's a moment gold medallist and torch bearer Cathy Freeman will always remember.
"It was just a mess, an absolute mess and after 25 years, I can say that out loud," smiled Freeman.
In a special two-part documentary Sydney 2000: The Best Ever, Freeman joined Ian Thorpe and Nikki Webster as they relive the moment they almost "lost the flame".
Stream Part 1 and 2 of Sydney 2000: Best Ever for free on 9Now.
Freeman remembered being called to light the Olympic cauldron. It was the first time in recent Olympic history an Opening Ceremony concluded with the symbolic act.
Nikki Webster at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Nine
"This is a ring of fire, this is scary stuff," she recalled. "Everyone could feel the pressure with the technicians, the creators."
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"We were always worried we might incinerate our best gold medal chance on the track," jested former Minister for the Olympics, Michael Knight.
On the night, Cathy was equally worried.
Webster, Freeman and Thorpe look back on the moment 25 years on. Nine
"I was already stressing to be really honest, about tripping up the stairs, in the water... " said Freeman.
"Then all of a sudden it didn't quite go to plan," Nikki Webster recalled.
"No one had a clue what was going on," said Ian Thorpe.
Just as Freeman climbed the long set of stairs towards the pool of water, and prepared to ignite the cauldron in a ring of fire, the cauldron rose out of the water and "broke down".
Catch the moment in the video below:
Freeman remembered having an earpiece: "The creative director was freaking out."
It was the first time Knight consciously lied to the Premier, masking the disaster as "a pause for dramatic effect".
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Four long minutes passed before the technical glitch was overridden.
"On the night, it was just horrible," Freeman laughed.
"We almost lost the flame completely," said Knight.
The night Australia almost lost the "sacred" flame. Nine
Knight revealed the ring of fire ran on bottled gas, which was topped up in a last minute decision after rehearsals. By the end of the night, the bottles were empty.
"Right at the end they were running on vapour," said Knight. "And if Colin had not done that top up, the sacred Olympic flame lit the sun's rays in Olympia carried by 11,000 torchbearers around Australia would have gone out.
"We would have started with humiliation."
For more incredible moments and to relive the "greatest games ever" catch Part 1 and 2 of Sydney 2000: The Best Ever on 9Now.
Stream Part 1 and 2 of Sydney 2000: Best Ever for free on 9Now.
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