"I can tell my grandkids in 30 years that I competed against one of the best long jumpers in history." Marion Jones after finishing behind Heike Drechsler in the long jump.

"She must indulge the old lady. She is young. . . she can still win a few things." Drechsler's reply.

"I consider tonight's race to be the best I have ever taken part in. Tonight was something the swimming world had never seen before. I doff my swim cap to the great Ian Thorpe." American Gary Hall Jnr after Thorpe led Australia to gold in an astonishing 4x100 race.