Freeman, now 37, will be joined at the event on September 15 by Paralympic champion Louise Sauvage lighting the cauldron at ts new home is 150 metres away in a park skirting Olympic Boulevard where it has been used as a fountain.

The lighting of the Olympic Cauldron was one of the most spectacular aspects of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Freeman walked to a pool of water and as she swept the flaming Olympic torch across the water a ring of fire sprung from the submerged cauldron.

The flaming cauldron, with water cascading from its lower flutings then rose to be joined with the mast, which emerged from behind the northern stand of the stadium.

The united structure ascended to a height of where it stood for the duration of the Games.

Organisers of the celebrations will be hoping to avoid in the re-enactment the technical glitch which nearly ruined the event.

The cauldron failed to make its planned ascent up a mechanical waterfall at the back of the stadium.

After several heart-stopping minutes for organisers, the device finally cranked into life and rose to the occasion.

Freeman is also to have a park named after her.

The park, known now as The Overflow, is located just outside ANZ Stadium, which was the main venue for the Olympics where Freeman produced the most memorable highlight of the Games, winning the 400 metres before a crowd of 112,000.

Plaques for both Freeman and Sauvage, who won three medals during the Sydney 2000 Paralympics, including gold in the 1500m and 5,000m, will be unveiled at the Park that day.

Sauvage said: "It was the most amazing time in my life."

A plaque will also be unveiled to former International Olympic Committee (IOC) Juan Antonio Samaranch, who died in April this year.

Samaranch, who called the Sydney Games "the best Olympics ever", had decided even before his death that the unveiling would be attended by his daughter Maria Teresa Samaranch Salisachs.

Another plaque will be unveiled at the park to "London 2012" and will be unveiled by the chairman Sebastian Coe, who will be attending the event.

The celebrations have been extensively planned, and will include major involvement by schoolchildren and Olympic athletes.

Freeman's appearance will be the highlight of celebrations that will also include a reunion party that organisers hope as many as possible of the 47,000 volunteers involved in the Games will attend an event hosted by New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally.

There will be a free barbecue and concert featuring Marcia Hines and John Paul Young, plaque dedications, the torch re-enactment and an official dinner hosted by Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President John Coates.

"Our volunteers were the heart and soul of the Games," said AOC secretary-general Craig Phillips.

"Many people said it was their spirit that made it so special.

"They are all invited to come and reminisce, and we want to see as many of them as possible."

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