From Cathy Freeman's history-making gold on the track to Ian Thorpe's "Thorpedo" heroics in the pool, the Sydney Olympics were truly a sporting celebration for the ages.

Monday marks the 25th anniversary of the Games' opening ceremony in September 2000.

Sydney had been narrowly chosen as host city over Beijing for what was the 24th modern staging of sport's most famous tournament.

Nearly 11,000 athletes representing 199 member countries participated, featuring a record 928 medals awarded in 300 events.

Almost seven million tickets were sold, a Games record, as Sydney heralded its arrival as a globally iconic location.

Now chief photographer at Australian Associated Press, Dean Lewins had started as a staff photographer for the newswire the year before in preparation for its Olympic co

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