Nation’s best athletes honoured in Hall of Fame at Olympic Park
As we continue our coverage of the Sydney Olympics’ 25th anniversary, let’s take a look at which 10 athletes have just been inducted into Accor Stadium’s inaugural Hall of Fame
READING LEVEL: GREEN
A quarter of a century later, “Catherine the Great” is still burning as bright as ever on the top step of the podium.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the Opening Ceremony for the Sydney Olympics, Cathy Freeman was inducted* into Accor Stadium’s Hall of Fame at a gala dinner on Monday night on the same field of dreams that bears her name on the grandstands.
And just like when she lit the cauldron in 2000 before going on to win gold in that unforgettable 400m sprint around the stadium, Freeman was as graceful and humble as ever in receiving another award.
“Every time I step back into this stadium, I’m reminded of that unforgettable night on September 25, 2000, when a sold-out crowd lifted me through the 400m final,” Freeman said.
“Having my family’s name permanently on a grandstand here is deeply personal and humbling – it connects my story to this place in a way that goes beyond sport, and it’s something I will treasure always.”
As one of Australia’s most well-known sporting greats, Freeman’s induction into the stadium’s inaugural* Hall of Fame was never in doubt, and she’s in good company.
Only 10 people were included in the class of 2025 and they’re all the best of the best.
The only other Olympian was Ian Thorpe, who won three gold medals in the nearby swimming pool at the Sydney Olympics, then carried the Australian flag at the Closing Ceremony.
Two Paralympian legends from Sydney were also honoured – Louise Sauvage and Tim Sullivan – while the other six were all footballers: two soccer players (John Aloisi and Mark Schwarzer), two rugby union players (John Eales and Jonny Wilkinson) and two rugby league players (Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns).
“This is more than a celebration of individual excellence,” Venues NSW chairman David Gallop said.
“It’s a tribute to the collective effort of the people of NSW and the enduring legacy* of a venue that has hosted the world’s biggest events, from the Olympics to World Cups, Grand Finals and concerts by global superstars.”
While the inclusion of the six footballers was a fitting nod to the stadium’s use after the flame was blown out in 2000, the final choices from the panel of journalists, broadcasters and administrators might raise some eyebrows because of the athletes who didn’t make it.
The Maroons* would be wondering why no Queensland rugby league players were included since they have dominated the State of Origin over the last 25 years.
Sam Kerr’s army of supporters might also want to know why she wasn’t in the first batch, after her wonder goal for the Matildas at the 2023 World Cup.
But like sport, there will be plenty of other chances, with Monday just the first Hall of Fame celebration and further inductions planned for 2027, 2029 and 2031.
STADIUM AUSTRALIA INAUGURAL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES*
Cathy Freeman
The face of Australian athletics. A double world champion, multiple Commonwealth Games gold medallist. Won a silver medal at Atlanta in 1996 then 400m gold in Sydney after lighting the flame.
Louise Sauvage
Australia’s greatest female wheelchair racer, Sauvage won nine Paralympic gold medals, including two in Sydney after being picked to light the cauldron, just as Freeman did in the Olympics.
Tim Sullivan
One of Australia’s greatest para-athletes. Won 10 Paralympic gold medals in his career – including an astonishing haul of five in Sydney.
Ian Thorpe
The “Thorpedo” did it all during his swimming career but for his Aussie fans, nothing topped the first night of competition at the Sydney Olympics. Just 17 at the time, Thorpe broke the world record in 400m freestyle then anchored Australia to victory over the United States in the 4x100m relay.
John Eales
The Wallabies’ inspiring leader from 1996 to 2001. Eales won two Rugby World Cups and led the Wallabies to a historic series victory over the British & Irish Lions at Stadium Australia in 2001.
Jonny Wilkinson
The only foreigner inducted into the Hall of Fame. Wilkinson played other big matches at the stadium but is forever remembered for booting the extra-time field goal in the Rugby World Cup final against the Wallabies.
Brad Fittler
“Freddy” did it all his career. A dual NRL premiership winner, he won Grand Finals, State of Origins, Test matches and personal awards including the world’s best player in 2000. He captained Australia in the first rugby league Test staged at the stadium and the Roosters in four of the first six NRL grand finals.
Andrew Johns
A rugby league “Immortal”, “Joey” was in the Newcastle team that defeated Manly 41–18 in the first NRL game played at Stadium Australia, on 6 March 1999. He also played in the first Test and first Origin and was named halfback in Australian rugby league’s Team of the Century.
John Aloisi
Aloisi scored 27 goals in 55 internationals for the Socceroos but is forever remembered for his decisive penalty in the playoff shootout with Uruguay in 2005 that saw Australia qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 32 years.
Mark Schwarzer
While Aloisi’s penalty celebration was the image most Aussies remember from the World Cup playoff, goalkeeper Schwarzer was one of the unsung heroes, saving two penalties in the shootout.
POLL
GLOSSARY
- inducted: added into
- inaugural: first time
- legacy: lasting contribution
- Maroons: the Queensland Rugby League side in the State of Origin series
- inductees: athletes who were inducted into the Hall of Fame
EXTRA READING
Cathy Freeman’s famous 49 secs
World’s fastest female swimmer
Best Aussie athlete of 21st century
QUICK QUIZ
1. How many athletes were inducted into Accor Stadium’s Hall of Fame for 2025?
2. How many Olympians were inducted into the Hall of Fame?
3. Which Paralympians made the Hall of Fame?
4. When will more athletes be inducted into the Hall of Fame?
5. How many international athletes were inducted into the Hall of Fame?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Hall of Fame honours
Who would you like to see inducted into the Accor Stadium’s Hall of Fame – based at Sydney’s Olympic Park? Write your nominee and your reasons why they would be a deserving inductee below.
Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
2. Extension
Write your own speech as if you were being inducted into a sports hall of fame in 2050? What was your sport, what have been your achievements and reasons for being inducted. Be as creative as you like in your possible future career!
Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
VCOP ACTIVITY
I’ve always wanted to know
If you had the opportunity to talk to one of the athletes and ask them five questions, what would you ask them?
Come up with five different questions. Challenge yourself to use different question stems (question openers words) to write your questions, and don’t forget to end with a question mark.