ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2007
- The greatest swimming race in history. Going into the 2000 Olympics the Americans had never lost the event and anchor leg swimmer Gary Hall Jr predicted before the games that the Australians would be 'smashed like guitars'. The Aussies, featuring Michael Klim and Ian Thorpe were determined to use home advantage to make sure that didn't happen. This is what happened next . . . .
- กีฬา
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20 years later still gives me the goosebumps
Klim just setting us up and working it, tradesman like and ooooh boy, Thorpe was just amazing, its just a beautiful script..!
Ditto my heart still feels like it’s going to smash out of my chest 🇦🇺❤️
This is the best Aussie relay ever!!!
Bloody love it! Still watching it tonight ❤️
As a Brit ex-pat living in Mississippi at the time, watching this live, my American wife and our 3 children came running into the living room after hearing me scream!! I didn't have the heart to tell them the truth and said I was screaming in disappointment.
Thorpe just won gold in the 400m, just minutes before.... What a swimmer.
What a champion he was 😄🇦🇺
i'm Canadian, but this is one of my favourite olympic moments of all time. what a fantastic race. what a great slice of humble pie for the yankees. good job aussies =)
Thorpe's last 50 meters is the most amazing thing I've seen in swimming
Nothing will top Jason Lezak's final 50m in 2008. He went 46.06!
I can't remember this race and Thorpe's race in Sydeny 2000
To come over the top like that against Gary Hall Jr is out of this world.
Really? You've never seen the 2008 Olympics. Lezak has the fastest 100m split ever. 46.06. Thorpe swam a 48.3. Not even close.
@@cr3161 It's not to compare the best time here, Thorpe was not a sprinter short range swimmer his strength was mid range, the way he was able to catch up and pass GHJ who was a 100M specialist was insane.
If there’s a better relay in Olympic history I can’t think of it. Between the swimming, the crowd and Dennis Cometti it had everything!
2008
Centimetre perfect😀
Thorpe swam the 400m (and won) and had the medal presentation just before this
I’m from South Africa, and Ian Thorpe’s final 30m of this relay is truly magnificent. Ian is in my opinion, the most graceful and effortless swimmer there’s ever been, he seemed to glide through the water at high speed, it’s no wonder they called him “Thorpedo”!
Big up to the other members as well, especially Michael Klim.
Michael Klim was a massive part of that, he flew through his 100m. The middle 2 were steady and held up their end, then thorpey brought it home, it was amazing.
@@SilentHotdog28
Michael Klim (48.18) WR
Chris Fydler (48.48)
Ashley Callus (48.71)
Ian Thorpe (48.30)
All pretty close to each other
Klim's opening leg deserves way more credit than it ever gets. It broke the world record.
@@tomjoslin435thanks Tom , that really puts prospective on the race, very even across the board, they all put in fantastic swims,, if they lined up for the 100 against each other, it would of been a close race.
Interesting take on Thorpe's stroke rate. I reckon the most effortless looking swimmer there has been was swimming in that race...... but for Russia (3rd leg - Alexander Popov)
Also Danyon Loader of NZ looked pretty effortless as well
I don't know who the bloke commentating alongside Dennis Cometti is, but you can actually hear his load blow just after Thorpe touches the wall in front. Quality listening.
Neil Brooks is the co-commentator...I think...could be wrong though
Julie Keast I think it may be Andrew Baildon
Andrew Basildon is the other commentator
Its Donald Trump!
Lmfao great comment and yes he definitely did.
18 years later and my heart still races watching this
"i know when you swim infront of australians you dont let them down"
THORPEY WHAT A LEGEND
Yes 💛💚
American here. Can't help but feel happy for the Australians. A great win for the home crowd. Cheers.
Hey Sean, what's the Son of Quora doing on TH-cam?
the Aussie media portrayed Gary Hall badly simply due to his "smash them like guitars" comment, but Hall is a good bloke, Thorpe himself said Hall was the first one to congratulate them, and when Hall went on "The Dream" show shortly afterwards Australia got to see that yep - he's a good bloke
Michael klim’s swim omg. He was the best relay swimmer ever.
Who's here in 2020 looking for a bit of Aussie spirit during Covid-19??
I love reliving this great Aussie moment! But notice how he jumped out of the pool before the last competitor had finished? The girls got pinged for this 12 months later at the world championships
@@jagobbin2 America was beat for the first time, and Australia broke a world record too. They're allowed to be excited. Did you notice the energy in the stadium? Clearly not, considering how out of touch you are.
@@CrispyHulk1 on the contrary this was my favourite gold medal of the entire olympics....it was pure adrenaline watching ian thorpe power down gary hall junior over the final 50m...you obviously missed my point though
jagobbin maybe I did. Idk
jagobbin the girls got pinged for jumping into the pool. Different scenario.
The way the commentator's voice began to tremble those last seconds of the race gives me goosebumps, best memories from my earliest days 🇦🇺🇦🇺❤❤
Dennis Commeti
who else could it be 🤜🤛🧡
I’ll never forget this, one of sports great moments.
I never ever ever ever ever get tired of watching this. I remember jumping up and down in my living room. I remember thinking with about ten metres to go, "He's got him! He's got him!" And that big black long arm reaches out - he knew how to get onto the wall in a tight race. To watch each American blow their best down the first lap and the Australian come back each time in the second lap. And I had forgotten that Thorpe won the 400 earlier in the night. A heart like Phar Lap. They should've played the national anthem on guitars - just for Gary Hall.
He'd won it the previous race from memory and had issues getting his suit back on/ready for relay. That's why he was late for race. Best moment in Australian sport ever. 👏👏👏
As good a youtube comment that you will ever see
@@AerialEyesProduction Why ... Thank you! :-)
Maybe look into what Hall actually said before making him the villain of the piece.
Just watched it again 21 years later I've got tears in my eyes reliving the feeling.
Before mass migration, enforced Diversity and Leftism ripped apart a wonderful culture.
I remember watching this race live. You could hear everyone yelling at Thorpe to GO!!!! in all the houses down the street. I yelled myself silly and my family all danced around foolishly. Greatest race ever. Still get emotional watching it now.
I watch this once a year and every time I get goosebumps. Dennis cometti at his absolute best!
And the fact that someone who is immensely experienced in commentary and has seen the pinnacles of live sport, and this is the moment where his voice trembles.
The best 4x100m race ever. I remember watching this from Toronto Canada and this was one of the highlights of the games along with Cathy Freeman winning gold for Australia in 400m
Nope, 2008 4 x 100 was much better because the US and Jason Lezak was the underdog. Benard was the world record holder and Benard also won the individual 100m at that Olympics. Lezak swam 46 flat, came from behind, and literally stunted the French.
"literally stunted"@@hl954 smh
The Australians women 4x100 are doing huge things. New world record at the 2023 World Swimming Champs
@@hl954Shutup, USA is never the underdog. Sorry but just because Phelps needed another gold medal doesn’t make it the best relay ever. Thorpe is the greatest swimmer, retired too early.
@@jaylav8662 Of course the US was the underdog at London 2012. The French had much better combined personal time. Benard was the world record holder, winning the gold medal at that same Olympiic in London. Do you know anything about swimming? Sit dafvq down. if you don't. Thorpe was a decent swimmer. Bit that's about it
Still here in 2021. I was in the stadium on that night when the team broke the world record. Everyone was going crazy when Thorpe touched the wall!! A night never to forget!!!
My favourite Australian Olympic moment made even better by the master Dennis Cometti's commentary which is just something else. The crowd was simply amazing, I would've given anything to have been in that crowd that night. A sporting memory that will always be remembered by all who saw it.
Brit here, who was in Sydney during these Olympics. Such an amazing moment, and for those few weeks was the best place in the world to be. Sydney is still my favourite place in the world
Thorpie's kicking rate was what won this for the Ozzie's, evident by the amount of 'white water' that was produced while he was kicking. Hall's kick was almost non - existent in the last 15-10m of that race. To think that Thorpie had already won gold earlier in the night makes this swim even more sublime. A herculean performance by one of the best !
Size 15 feet
I skipped school to watch this. It was worth it. After 21 years I still say that was the most epic race I ever saw. Congratulations Australia!!!
20 years on all reliving our favourite moments from these games - this will always be my standout from these games and indeed all Australian sporting moments still brings a tear to the eye - thanks to these four wonderful aussies
thorpe's kick is like an outboard motor!!!
Not only is this an amazing race but also the commentating is absolutely brilliant. His a brilliant commentator in all the sports he did
I was watching this back home with my nanna and uncle may they rest in peace, this still makes me teary and proud even tho I'm not australian
Dennis fkn cometti. The man the myth the legend.
23 years late and I still get pumped Come on🇦🇺
This is the best mens freestyle relay ive ever seen. These 4 Aussie men swimmers are the best team for that event of all time.
Imo The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games is quite possibly the greatest Olympic Games ever. 34 world records were set and it had some of the greatest, legendary and memorable moments such as the debut of the then young Micheal Phelps, Cathy Freeman winning gold in the 400m Sprint, Ian Thorpe’s performance here and who could forget Eric The Eel, all legends in their own right
Damn right. The blog is actually very complimentary about Australia and the Australians. Hall is an extrovert and a showman, and lots of people think he's a dick, but actually he was very gracious after this defeat - he's a much nicer and more humble person than his public persona would suggest.
Awesome race, whichever way you cut it. And Cometti's commentary is legendary. 'The crowd is roaring, their hero is coming on.' Gives me goosebumps - and I'm a Pommie!
As an Australian swimming tragic - you are right about Gary Hall. He made this race that little more delicious with his comments - and with his first lap in the last leg - but he was gracious after the race and congratulated the Aussie 4.
yep and Ian Thorpe himself said Gary Hall was the first one to congratulate them
The quote in full context wasn’t bad. In the next sentences, he was saying they’ll be hard to beat at home. He was likely saying it in jest
I’m not even Australian and I get goosebumps watching this! Wow
I'm not even Australian, and when I think of swimming, this race comes to mind.
Sydney 2000 was the best EVENT I ever witnessed. If I had known an Olympics could be that enjoyable, I would have dedicated my entire life to it very early.
HALL N THORPE, THORPE GOES IN!!!!!!!!! NEW WORLD RECORD!! Goosebumps everytime.
Probably the greatest swim in the Olympic history. Thorpe was such a legend. A distance swimmer beating a specialist.
This is the best swimming race I've ever seen. So tensed and surprising. Ian Thorpe did a miracle in the last 15 meters.
23 years later this still hits home thank you boys
Watched this about a squillion times and just love every second of it... Strum those guitars lads...
A couple of legendary Aussies involved here... Ian Thorpe and Dennis Cometti..!! Wonderful race AND call..!!
This is brilliant! One of the greatest Aussie sporting moments for sure.
This is the kind of stuff you remember forever !! 😍😍
Old mate just breaks the world record in the first 100 like it’s nothing lol
Still brings chills every time I watch it, lol
As soon as I heard that Ian Thorpe was the last one for the Australians, I knew the outcome.
This was an iconic time to be an Aussie. The whole of Australia had a vibe before, during and after the games. Hopefully my kids can experience this level of patriotism in the community again one day.
Agreed, such a special time to be an Australian. Unforgettable.
The leg kick in the last 30m from the great Ian Thorpe the difference. As a Brit, this will always be one of my go-to videos.
this still sends chills down my spine 10 years later
I'm American and I liked it. It was a great race. ;)
shelli Fox We smashed you Yanks like guitars ;)
u want a cookie?
only 100m freestyle relay u won so far, america has won all except 3
it was one of the best I ever watched!!
@@rosakrosan6000 Hate to say it but Australian's will always be more comfortable in the water then a yank. Just facts.
@@dwaaag Facts? More like a "fantasy" fabricated by an Australian.
Klim's opening leg is never given the credit it deserves - broke the world record
I was in Sydney for these Olympics but not at this venue on the night. Instead I was at the Judo but I wasn't the only one listening to this race on radio. When the Aussies won there was a ripple in the crowd as people spread the news and the we heard the roar from the live site situated outside the judo venue at Darling harbour. Still brings shivers thinking about it
That bloody last lap was insane
Thorpey the legend....love him so much...❤️❤️❤️
I remember watching this and jumping up and down in my living room - it still gives me goosebumps.
If my life was on the line in this race, give me this AUS team.
Greatest swim ever! Still gives me goosebumps!!!
Absolutely fantastic. The Oz Games one of the best in history for me !
Man what a race, one of those truly great edge of the seat moments!
As a Brit I have never cheered an Aussie sporting victory so loudly.
Best commentary ever! Makes me tingle every time!
Couldn’t agree more. Dennis does not put a single word wrong and the way he calls that last 30 metres.... gets me aroused
Give me Thorpey over Phelps every day of the week
20 yrs ago today and it still fires me up
"Michael Klim is still smoking behind the blocks." Love it!
this was soooooooooo great :) makes me smile when i watch it again :D
The 2nd golden age of Aussies in the pool
When was the first? ...Prehistoric era?
@@firebat6612 in the late 60s and 70s
NEVER! Gets! Old!
If Ian did nothing else in his swimming career, he could've dined out on this for the rest of his life.
This was magical. Back when we didn't have easy instant access to media. These moments were more special because you saw them so rarely. I was 7 years old and man it stuck with me!
I only just found at that Ian Thorpe was only 17 years old here. Pretty amazing to perform under huge pressure at that age.
He had the weight of a nation on his shoulders. And he didn't disappoint.
"He Wants To Eat Them For Dinner"
ROFL
I believe this is a reference to a comment from the Americans in the lead up to the race. Alongside Gary Hall Jnr saying they would “smash them (the Aussies) like guitars”. This prompted the air guitar from the Aussie team after
Awesome moment, Sydney 2000 was the best Olympic games of all time.
Greatest moment in Aussie olympic history i think without a doubt. What a team effort!! The build up to it was unreal and to win on home soil like this is something i will remember. This race will be long remembered by us all. I think the whole entire country stopped just for this 5 minute race.
i keep having to remind myself that thorpe was only 17!!!
check out the outrageous dive from the swimmer in lane 6 at 2:36
03:01 "Now he's digging deep, the crowd is roaring, their hero is coming on, will it be a fairytale?"
Oh Dennis, your finest moment
2022 and crying watching this. SO ICONIC
since klimm broke the 100m record in this race does it count as a official record or just in this race?
Official because we was going first.
@bongo155 Yes, because swimmers 2-4 do not have to handle reaction time.
Where are the guitars?
Smashed em!
Where are the Weapons of Mass Destruction? Shame us Aussies failed to heed the lesson for awhile, which I suspect is why the boastful nicknames were missing for Tokyo.
As an American, GREAT JOB TO AUSTRALIA! People who open their mouth to talk smack needs someone to shut it for them!
Watch this everyday Proud Aussie.
Klim is the reason Austrailia won. Gary Hall actually had a faster split than Ian on the anchor leg, but Klim's lead leg was too much to overcome.
Does freestyle mean you can swim using any form you choose as long as you get to the other side?
Affiliate Marketeer lmao!!!!!
Yes, but is has to be legal. I am a competitive swimmer, and have been at meets where in free events people swim other strokes, and are not DQ’ed.
It literally is chump
So Proud of these blokes. Who's got a dry eye?
Absolutely phenomenal. My heart still races watching this!!!❤
Great 100 by Thorpe, and wise of Australia to cut out the portion of the video with Klim doing the air guitar. Klim is a good guy and just got carried away. Frankly I think a superior swimmer to Thorpe, but so were a lot of people. However, Thorpe had superior intelligence. He didn't care how dumb it looked, if a full body suit helps you, and it's legal, well then by all means, use the bloody thing. I am amazed very few people picked up on such an obvious advantage and let him do it alone.
The reason why Klim did the air guitar was because Gary Hall Jr came in and said they were going to "smash the Aussies like guitars".
The air guitar was the best bit
That full body suit had no advantage. Other swimmers had the change to use it but most didn´t like it. Thorpe won the race because Gary Hall JR went out too hard in the first 50, simple as that.
A coach once described to me that Thorpe's Adidas suit was like "wearing pyjamas" compared to the Speedo suit, and the Speedo suit was like wearing pyjamas compared to the Blue Seventy "floatie" suits that eventually had the whole suit era banned. Shame, because the only thing the Speedo full body suit did was save us all from having to shave down. Shaving down just so you can swim competitively against everyone else who is shaved down - is the pits ... literally.
@@tedsavides1371 The suits were banned because two companies - Blue Seventy and Arena created suits that had flotation properties. Speedo's LZR was also suspect in that area. By the rules, swim suits had to be "textile" but Blue Seventy suits in particular were some sort of plastic-type material that had air bubbles and therefore, floated. It's a real shame the suits were banned because we all have to go back to shaving down to become hydro-dynamic and reduce drag. Meanwhile shaving down is the real drag. it would have been very easy for FINA to test the suits - just hold them under the water and see if they float to the top. Not that hard. Instead, FINA showed fairly typical swimming official facism by banning ALL suits - not just the floating ones - in the same way they banned Dawn Fraser and refused to ban Sun Yang for ages.
Honestly don't think there's a better Commetti call than this.
My favorite race of all time. Brings back great memories of that day.
YOU KNOW whats gonna happen but you can't stop watching it and cheering!!
Dennis makes this even better
He just had a canny knack of injecting emotion without losing himself in the emotion! A brilliant caller and I recall he was only asked to do the swimming for the first time just prior to the Atlanta games.
Goosebumps in Thorpes last 50
I'm a American swimmer Retire! I was rooting for United States of America In this event,but I changed my mind I love Australia,before Gary Hall comment the Aussies were nobody's! Now they are Fucking legends! I love the 2000 olmpics! They are my favorites 👍😔😔😔😇😭😭
Love this vid every single time. This race is what sports is all about.
This race was everything
This video is one of the few swimming videos where I feel like swimming alongside them. And I'm having trouble catching up with them, even in my imagination.
Gary Hall Jr has often claimed since that Ian Thorpe didn't mow him down. That's crap, look at the last 50metres! I remember watching watching this live and we all jumped to our feet and cheered him home - even my siblings, who hate sport. This ranks as one of my top 5 favourite sporting moments.
Amazing race and fantastic commentary in that final leg!
Arguably best few minutes all time of Aussie sport (wth Cathy's 400, Aloisi's penalty and Cahill's goals again Japan).
and steven bradbury
Australia’s greatest ever Olympic moment in the pool.
Missed the good days of watching this swimming race.
this is the australian commentary and boy would i love to hear how the americans reacted to this. best swimming race for australia of all time in front of their fans.
Even more amazing when you realise Thorpe won gold in the 400m earlier that night. GOAT.