AOC HAILS SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO CATHY FREEMAN AT SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK
Published Fri 15 Sep 2023
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) is celebrating the special honour accorded to Olympic legend Catherine Freeman with the New South Wales Government naming the eastern grandstand at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park in her honour.
The initiative comes on the 23rd anniversary of the moment Cathy Freeman lit the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Her subsequent victory on the track 11 nights later in the 400 metres final remains Australia’s most iconic sporting moment.
AOC President Ian Chesterman has praised the NSW Government for its recognition of Catherine Freeman’s contribution to Australia’s sporting legacy.
“This is a wonderful gesture. Australians have a deeply shared affection for one of our greatest athletes. Her victory in the 400 metres inspired future generations and united Australians in an unprecedented fashion,” Mr Chesterman said.
“A proud Kuku Yalanji and Birri Gubba woman, she has motivated both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to reach for their dreams.
“The Olympic movement in Australia has long celebrated its female athletes.
“From our first medallist, Fanny Durack at Stockholm 1912 - names like Cuthbert, Strickland, Jackson, Fraser, O’Neill – so many great female athletes through to Emma McKeon in Tokyo only two years ago.
“For the past two Summer Olympic Games, Australia’s Olympic Team has comprised more women than men, all of whom have an inspirational story.
“But it’s Cathy Freeman’s achievement that continues to shine a light on what young women can achieve if they have a dream and they pursue it. We owe her a great debt,” Mr Chesterman concluded.
Surfer Sally Fitzgibbons, one of many Olympians inspired by that magic night in 2000, sums up her feelings about Cathy Freeman’s achievements.
“I wanted to be Cathy Freeman. Every training session I did, the last 100 metres I was Cathy. I carried that dream all the way to the Youth Olympics,” she said.
“The dream doesn’t have to be fixed. You think everything is set in stone. Hold the dream lightly – for me now, I am a surfer and just let things flow.
“I carried that dream from that night, and that energy, to go and be my best at surfing around the world,” she concluded.
IOC Vice President John Coates, who selected Ms Freeman to light the cauldron in 2000, says she deserves every accolade.
“Her humility in accepting the role in the Opening Ceremony remains with me today. To turn around and win her event was remarkable. Cathy was awarded the AOC’s highest honour, the Order of Merit, in 2018. This latest accolade is richly deserved,” Mr Coates concluded.
By Australian Olympic Committee
Posted: 15/9/2023
