Sydney 2000 Olympics held without a hitch

It was among the highlights of 2000: Australia's cracking Olympic Games, attracting global praise and recognition and a record medal tally.

Who could forget Cathy Freeman's victory in the 400-metres sprint?

Despite concerns that violent extremists could use the Games and the global media attention to showcase their cause, as occurred at the 1972 Olympics in Munich and at Atlanta in 1996, there were no incidents.

Preparations for the Games started immediately after the 1993 announcement that Sydney would host the millennium event.

Although the NSW government was the principle organiser, the federal government had major responsibilities.

Cabinet documents for 2000 - released by the National Archives of Australia - reveal a succession of decisions, particularly relating to security.

As the Games approached, the Commonwealth believed it was as ready as it could be.

"The security issues that could arise during the 2000 Olympics and the appropriate responses to them are now well understood as a result of a series of national exercises that culminated in Exercise Ring True in May 2000," Attorney General Daryl Williams said in a submission to cabinet in late August.

"Ring True was reassuring. A key issue in the unlikely event of a serious emergency will be coordination between the states, particularly NSW and the Commonwealth."

Ring True was a multi-agency exercise featuring the defence force, federal and state police and other agencies held at locations around NSW in preparation for the Olympics.

In April, the national security committee of cabinet endorsed Commonwealth counter-terrorism policies and some key principles - the civil power retained primacy, all actions needed to be conducted within the law and there would be no major concessions to terrorists.

However police commanders dealing with a stand off could grant minor concessions, such as food and medical support, in return for tactical advantages.

Lethal force would only be employed as a last resort.

"In so doing, notwithstanding the primary objective of resolving an incident peacefully, there may be no alternative but to use force," Mr Williams said in his submission to cabinet.

He said many of the issues raised in Ring True had been addressed by legislation facilitating a call out of the defence force in response to a formal state request, conferring clear powers on defence members.

As it turned out, there was no need. The Sydney 2000 Olympics are remembered for their overwhelming goodwill and for Australia's best-ever haul of 58 medals.

Australia's outstanding performance in 2000 stemmed from multiple factors, including extensive Commonwealth support for elite sports.

But funding for the Olympic Athlete Program was to conclude at the end of the year and even before the Games were held. Sports Minister Jackie Kelly was considering what could follow to support elite sports, make sports self-sustaining and deliver a more healthy community.

Alas, Australia's performance at Sydney 2000 remains the nation's Games high point and it's been downhill since, with 50 medals in Athens, 46 in Beijing, 35 in London and 28 in Rio.