From Cathy Freeman's raucously-supported historic run to a dramatic upset in curling that left the arena silent, fans share what it's like to be in the stands at an Olympic Games, as more tickets go on sale for Paris 2024.
Cathy Freeman’s win in the women's 400m at Sydney 2000 is one of those iconic moments not only notable for Olympics fans but beyond sport, too.
Running in front of a home crowd in Australia, Freeman won gold just days after lighting the Olympic flame during the Opening Ceremony. The choice of the 27-year-old was poignant due to her Aboriginal heritage, which organisers hoped would promote reconciliation in Australia.
On winning the Olympic title, Freeman celebrated by carrying both the Australian flag and the Aboriginal flag, carefully picking them up simultaneously before tying their ends together to demonstrate equal importance to her. The crowd roared.
With the newest phase of ticketing for Paris 2024 now open, Olympics.com asked those lucky enough to have experienced the drama, glory and defeat showcased in the global showpiece to share their stories from the stands.
One of the more than 100,000 fans lucky enough to bear witness to Freeman's moment was 13-year-old Morgan Ashlee. Watching from the stands with her parents, the teenager realised she was part of something special even then.
“To have been there to witness a moment that remains culturally significant to the fabric of our nation is something I cherish,” Ashlee told Olympics.com, revealing the family had taken a 10-hour road trip from Melbourne to be in Sydney for the Olympics.
“I grew up attending sports every week, being used to crowds of 80-90,000. But the electricity that was present that night was unmatched by anything I've seen. 110,000 people all with one dream that night. She looked like a superhero, and she performed like one with the expectations and hopes of the whole nation solely on her.
“As a very proud Australian, as a 13-year-old sports fanatic with indigenous heritage, as a passionate little girl who idolised strong, resilient, badass women, I knew what it meant for me and how poignant of a moment in time it was that I experienced,” Ashlee said.
Not just watching sport, but bonding with fellow spectators from around the world was a highlight for some of the those we spoke to.
Tom Snyder, a self-described “gymnastics nerd” from Ohio went to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and found himself sitting next to someone who didn’t know much about the sport.
As Americans Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin took the top two spots in the balance beam competition, Snyder realised he'd found a new friend.
“I sat next to a guy, during gymnastics event finals, from Australia who was given tickets from his work. He knew nothing about the sport. He asked me lots of questions about scores, history, and various competitors. He was so into it after learning some stuff, and then he bought me a beer!” Snyder enthused, in recognition of the ultimate compliment from a fellow fan.
Colette Leneghan from Brooklyn went to the London 2012 Olympics with her brother, taking in both football and hockey matches.
“When I went to Wembley, there were 70,000-plus fans to watch a women's football match," Leneghan said. "I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Steph Houghton scored within a couple of minutes, the noise was unbelievable!
“I was there with my younger brother and we were chatting with some Brazilians fans who had traveled to see Marta. The atmosphere was outstanding. The Brazilian fans kept the samba party going for the whole game and afterwards as well. It was an amazing atmosphere and that’s how it felt to be in London in 2012 – people coming together and celebrating.
“There was also a dad who had travelled from Birmingham with his four younger daughters and I remember telling them (the 2012 Olympics) is a turning point for women's football – and looking back, it was!” Leneghan said.
Other fans headed to events solo but discovered a welcoming vibe from fellow fans.
Michele Summa, who lives in San Francisco, went to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games by herself and managed to get tickets for the Opening Ceremony.
“It was so fun. I sat next to the president of the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association for the Opening Ceremony, and he was the nicest, most chill guy ever,” Summa said.
USA and Canada fans cheer on their sides at the women's football semifinal at London 2012
Bob Hand’s wife was working at the Olympics, so he went to events at both London 2012 and the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games alone. It didn’t dampen the experience.
“I think the 2018 Winter Olympics truly was one of the most magical four days of my life," he told us. "I showed up off the plane and arrived at the US women's hockey gold medal match and then went to the US men's curling gold medal match the next day, plus some of the big days for US gold medalists in snowboarding and cross-country skiing in the final two days, and enjoyed bobsled up close.
"The atmosphere in Korea was amazing. They just were the most welcoming as a fan. I think the most interesting part was showing up there off the plane in normal clothes and realizing to be a true fan you need to show up as Uncle Sam or decked from head to toes in all your country favorite colors,” Hand laughed.
Fans from Brazil and Republic of Korea enjoy the atmosphere outside the iconic Old Trafford Stadium prior to the men's football semifinal
Sometimes, the memorable moments stand out because they are more about the agony of defeat than the thrill of victory.
“I went to the women’s curling gold medal match in Vancouver 2010," said Brian Martinelli from Memphis. "Canada had an easy shot (relatively speaking) to win gold and botched it, giving the W to Sweden. I had no rooting interest, but felt terribly for everyone in attendance. They went SILENT.
"I still talk about this as one of the most painful ends to a sporting event I’ve ever seen – and certainly in person.”
Whether in victory or defeat, the memories of being in the stands and watching the stories unfold at an Olympic Games remain for a lifetime.