Cathy Freeman returns to Olympic stadium 25 years on as first inductee into hall of fame

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Twenty-five years after the eyes of the world were fixed on her, Cathy Freeman stood in the same Sydney stadium on Monday, albeit in front of a much smaller crowd.

A quarter of a century earlier on September 15, Freeman lit the cauldron at the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony.

Mark Schwarzer (football), Brad Fittler (rugby league), Cathy Freeman (Olympian), Ian Thorpe (Olympian), John Aloisi (football), Louise Savage (Paralympian), Andrew Johns (rugby league), Tim Sullivan (Paralympian).

On Monday, she was among the first group of 10 inductees into Accor Stadium’s hall of fame at an event celebrating the anniversary of the Games.

Ten days after the opening ceremony in 2000, Freeman starred on an even more remarkable night.

“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 400-metre final,” Freeman said.

“To think that 25 years have passed since the Sydney Games feels surreal, yet the memories remain as vivid as ever.”

Alongside Freeman, a host of stars returned to the stadium to celebrate the anniversary, which was attended by 400 guests.

Games opening ceremony conductor George Ellis led a 25-piece orchestra and Nikki Webster, who returned as an adult and with her children, reproduced her performance of Under Southern Skies, which she delivered as 13-year-old in 2000.

Louise Sauvage, a nine-time Paralympic gold medallist and two-time Sydney Paralympic gold medallist, was the only other female inductee into the hall of fame. She was honoured by NSW Premier Chris Minns, who said: “Louise, like Cathy, lit the flame at the Paralympics and then won gold under extreme pressure and with the whole nation cheering her on.”

Ian Thorpe, who won three gold medals in Sydney, and Tim Sullivan, who earned half of his 10 Paralympic gold medals in 2000, join Freeman and Sauvage as inductees from the Sydney 2000 Games.

Nikki Webster, 13, performs during the opening ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games.

Paralympians Tim Sullivan and Louise Savage rekindled memories of 2000 at the Stadium Australia Hall of Fame gala dinner.

Also inducted on Monday night were six athletes from other sporting codes who have a special connection to the Olympic stadium: Socceroos legends John Aloisi and Mark Schwarzer, rugby league greats Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns, former Wallabies captain John Eales and ex-England five-eighth Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked the game-winning field goal at the 2003 Rugby World Cup final against Australia.

Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe cemented their places as household names with their Olympic exploits 25 years ago.

The 10 inductees were selected by a panel of journalists, broadcasters and sports administrators, and that number will be added to in 2027, 2029 and 2031.

“The Stadium Australia hall of fame is a fitting tribute as we mark 25 years since Sydney lit up the world with the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games,” NSW Minister for Sport and Tourism Steve Kamper said.

“Beyond the ‘best Olympic Games ever’, this incredible stadium has hosted so many iconic moments.

“To induct legends like Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler, two of the greatest to ever play rugby league, alongside Wallabies icons John Eales and Jonny Wilkinson, is a wonderful way to celebrate the history of the game and the legacy of this great stadium.”

Other key figures were also honoured, including former Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates, Sydney Games organising committee director general David Richmond, former Olympics minister Michael Knight, and chief executive of the Olympic bid, Rod McGeoch.

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