Canberran Katrina Powell was born into a hockey family - so much so that she played at three Olympic Games alongside her sister, Lisa.
During her Olympic debut, Katrina famously scored the final goal in Australia’s 3-1 victory against South Korea in the 1996 gold medal match.
Four years later, Powell was grateful that she already had an Olympic gold medal game experience under her belt, but even that couldn’t prepare her for the overwhelming excitement – and pressure – of playing for Olympic gold in front of all her family and friends at Sydney 2000.
On the My Sydney 2000 podcast, she relives the electric atmosphere of competing at Sydney Olympic Park and how former Hockeyroos coach, Ric Charlesworth, had to keep the team level-headed as they felt the pressure of competing at a home Games as the reigning Olympic Champions.
She also shares the moment she realised Cathy Freeman had won 400m gold, as they could hear the screams from the crowd coming from the nearby stadium as they were in the middle of a game.
Powell reflects on this impact the Olympic movement has had on her life, and how she’s now giving back to the sport as a coach.
Listen to more #MySydney2000 podcasts below:
