- Freeman becomes the first woman in NSW to have a stand named after her
- Was selected through a public nomination process
- Was unveiled on the day she lit the Olympic flame in Sydney
A large stand will be renamed in honor of Cathy Freeman at the stadium where she lit the Olympic flame in 2000 and later claimed gold in one of the country’s biggest sporting moments.
The NSW Government announced on Friday that the eastern stand of Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park would officially be named the Cathy Freeman Stand.
It followed a public nomination process where people were asked to nominate a female sporting hero whose name could be placed on the stand.
On the same date, 23 years ago, Freeman lit the flame at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games at the stadium.
Ten days later she won the women’s 400 meters final at the venue, famously completing a victory lap with both the Australian and Aboriginal flags in front of a crowd of more than 110,000 supporters.
Cathy Freeman has reacted to the news that the eastern stand of Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park will be named in her honour
Freeman, who walked with the help of crutches, unveiled a plaque in her honor
The retired athlete was flanked by NSW Premier Chris Minns (left) and IOC Vice President John Coates (right)
Freeman carried both the Australian and Aboriginal flags on her victory lap after winning the 400m sprint 23 years ago
It was the most watched TV event in the country’s history before being displaced by the Matildas World Cup semi-final with England at the same stadium last month.
Freeman said she was “deeply honored and humbled” to be permanently recognized at a stadium that held a special place in her heart.
“I hope my story continues to inspire generations of girls and boys to pursue their own dreams in sports and life,” she said.
Freeman was honored on the same day she lit the Olympic flame at Sydney Stadium to start the 2000 Olympic Games
Freeman captured the hearts of a nation in the thrilling 400 meters final
Premier Chris Minns said it was time a NSW grandstand was named after a woman and he couldn’t think of a better candidate than the indigenous sports star.
“Everyone remembers where they were when Cathy Freeman produced her historic 400m race to win gold for Australia at the Sydney Olympics,” he said.
“I want the next generation of young girls to watch sport in this stadium, looking up at the Cathy Freeman Stand, thinking about their own sporting dreams.”
The announcement has been well received by the Australian public, with many wondering why she was not honored sooner.
‘About time. She has been an Australian legend for over 20 years. It’s time she was recognized as such,” one person wrote.
‘Great decision. She was a household name throughout the 1990s,” replied another.
‘Should have happened years ago. An incredible moment that no one will ever forget. I wish I was there to witness it live,” posted another.
It is Freeman’s second award this year, after she was also shortlisted for the Wilderness Society Karajia Award for her children’s book The Heartbeat of the Land.