1965 - present

Sydney local, Kerri Pottharst, a much-loved Australian athlete, achieved an extraordinary feat at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where she won a gold medal in beach volleyball with her Queensland born partner, Natalie Cook. The event took place at Bondi Beach, providing a stunning backdrop for this historic moment in Australian sports.

Pottharst was born in Adelaide and began playing indoor volleyball in 1982. By 1990 she was regarded as one of the best volleyballers in Australia.

Pottharst and Cook formed a formidable partnership that captivated the hearts of Australians. The pair first represented Australia at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics where they won the bronze medal. The same year, the pair won a silver medal at the Brazil Open in RIO and Gold at the World Tour Event in Japan. They were motivated by the home ground advantage of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, their journey to the Olympics was marked by intense training, strategic planning, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Both athletes brought complementary skills to the sand, creating a synergy that was unbeatable. The Sydney 2000 Olympics were particularly special as they were held in Pottharst's home city, adding a layer of pride and expectation. The beach volleyball matches drew massive crowds, and the atmosphere at Bondi Beach was often described as electrifying.

The pinnacle of their Olympic journey came in the gold medal match against Brazil, a powerhouse in beach volleyball. The match was a thrilling display of skill, teamwork, and resilience. Pottharst's powerful serve clocked an incredible 85km/h and combined with Cook's agility and defensive skills they created a dynamic and unstoppable force. The Australian duo triumphed, securing the gold medal.

This victory was a personal triumph for Pottharst who had previously represented Australia on the Indoor Volleyball floorboards for 10 years. 8 years early she had sustained an almost career ending injury so she made the switch to the beach version of her sport and went on to win two Olympic medals.

It was also a monumental achievement for Australia. It marked the first time an Australian team had won gold in beach volleyball at the Olympics, cementing Pottharst and Cook's legacy in the sport. The win at Bondi Beach became a defining moment in Australian Olympic history, as well as Bondi history.

The story is often told by locals that once a year Pottharst and Cook return to Bondi beach to toast their Olympic win with champagne on the sand.

Images courtesy Fairfax Media and the Waverley Library Local Studies Collection.