Cathy Freeman is set to be honoured by Sydney’s Accor Stadium, where she won the gold medal in the Sydney 2000 Olympics 23 years ago. 

The Olympic legend will have a grandstand named after her at the stadium, with the NSW government announcing on Friday that the eastern grandstand of Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park will be known as the Cathy Freeman Stand.

It’s the same venue Freeman lit the flame to kick off the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and went on to win the 400m gold medal in what is one of Australia’s most iconic sporting moments.

The moment brought 112,524 spectators inside the stadium to their feet over two decades ago, while more than 8 million fans watched the event from the around country. 

“I am deeply honoured and humbled by this recognition,” Freeman, a proud Kuku Yalanji and Birri Gubba woman, said on Friday.

“This stadium and Sydney Olympic Park hold a truly special place in my heart and that will never change.”

“I hope that my story continues to inspire generations of girls and boys to chase their own dreams in sport and life.”

“Like the rest of Australia, I cheered on the Matildas during the FIFA Women’s World Cup and I can’t wait to see future generations of Australian female athletes make their mark.”

During a press conference to unveil the grandstand, NSW premier Chris Minns recognised that Freeman is the first woman to have a major grandstand named after her in NSW.

He said, “It’s about time we name a grandstand in NSW after a woman, and I can’t think of a better athlete than Cathy Freeman.”

Image credits: Getty Images