become the first woman in any sport to win medals 20 years apart. Judoka Ryoko Tamura lost in the final in both Barcelona and Atlanta, but came back to win the gold medal in Sydney. Steve Redgrave became the first rower to win gold medals in five consecutive Olympics. The US softball team won in stirring fashion, losing three games in a row and then coming back to defeat each of the teams they had lost to.

Marion Jones (USA-athletics) was the first woman to win five medals in athletics in the same Olympics. She began with a crushing victory in  the 100m and scored an easy win in the 200m. She won the bronze in the long jump and the 4 x 100m relay, and finally ran for the 4 x 400m relay squad that won the gold medal. 

Women took part in the modern pentathlon for the first time in Olympic history during Sydney games. This added a second day of competition and further medals to this sport.