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.Credit: Eric Draper.
Paralympians Tim Sullivan and Louise Savage rekindled memories of 2000 at the Stadium Australia Hall of Fame gala dinner. Credit: Phil Hillyard
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. Credit: Phil Hillyard
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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