Cathy Freeman has emerged as the firm favorite in another race – this time to be honored with a grandstand named after her at the stadium where she won Olympic gold
- Grandstand in the Accor stadium is named after an athlete
- Freeman is a favorite, though others like Sam Kerr are in the mix
- The public can have a say in the decision to be made for the World Cup
Cathy Freeman made history when she won gold at the Sydney Games and now the Aussie star could be honored with a grandstand named after her in the stadium where she lit the Olympic flame.
NSW Prime Minister Chris Minns has made good on his pre-election pledge to name the eastern stand of Accor Stadium, formerly known as Stadium Australia, after a prominent female athlete.
Suggestions have been opened to the public with a panel of judges and the state cabinet to make the final decision.
Freeman’s triumph in the 400m final at the Games has placed the superstar athlete as the Premier’s personal preference.
“Cathy Freeman’s win was not just a sporting event that featured prominently for female athletes, it is one of the most important and most recognizable and historic sporting achievements in sport, period,” the Prime Minister said.
Freeman carries both the Australian and Aboriginal flags following her victory in the 400m freestyle final at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
Freeman lights the Olympic cauldron at the 2000 Olympics, an iconic moment for her incredible win in the 400m final
The NSW Government website announced that the name of a female Australian athlete will grace the stands to recognize their contribution to the sport and inspire the next generation of female heroes.
The public is invited to nominate their choice, with the decision to be made before the opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the stadium.
While Freeman is the favourite, other icons are also being considered.
Matildas star Sam Kerr is another standout nomination and will lead the Matildas to the World Cup at the venue later this year.
She has won multiple championships with Perth Glory in the W-League and she is the all-time leading goalscorer in the league’s history.
The Chelsea star has also excelled on the international scene, leading the Australia women’s national football team to the quarter-finals of the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cups.
Australian Paralympic wheelchair racer and leading coach Alix Louise Sauvage is another athlete firmly in the mix.
Paralympic gold medalist Alix Louise Sauvage and Freeman reunite at Sydney Olympic Park in 2010 where they shared the honor of relighting the cauldron
Sauvage won nine Olympic gold medals and today works as a coach, making her another leading contender for the honor
Kerr will lead the Matildas to battle at the FIFA Women’s World Cup at Accor Stadium and is a prime contender to have the East Stand named after her
Sauvage is widely regarded as Australia’s most renowned disabled sportswoman, with nine gold medals and four silver medals in four Paralympic Games, and 11 gold and two silver medals in three IPC Athletics World Championships.
Freeman won double gold at Canada’s 1994 Commonwealth Games before thrilling the country in 2000.
Nominations can be made online for the next month before a jury and cabinet make a final decision.