At a glance…
- Latest research from Demos AU shows that Cathy Freeman AC, Ash Barty, and Sam Kerr are the most admired sporting figures in Australia.
- Cricketer Pat Cummins and Formula One driver Oscar Piastri are fourth and fifth, respectively.
If someone asked you who the person you most admired in Australian sport is, who would you pick? If your answer was Cathy Freeman AC, then you and Australia agree!
Latest research from Demos AU reveals that the Olympian leads the poll in “most admired sporting figures”. The survey takers were asked to name up to three Australian sportspeople that they admired. More than 5,000 Australians were surveyed, and Cathy Freeman was named by 10 per cent of respondents.
Perhaps you love tennis, and so the first person you thought of was the incredible Ash Barty? Or potentially you’ve been caught by the soccer-love-bug, and the indomitable Sam Kerr was your immediate choice. Well, both sportspeople were named by 9 per cent of respondents!
Following them in the polls was Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins on 6 per cent. And rounding out the top five was Formula One driver Oscar Piastri.
“Nothing brings Australians together like major sporting occasions,” said DemosAU Head of Research George Hasanakos on the results. “Millions of us watched Cathy Freeman’s Olympic gold medal, Ash Barty’s Australian Open win, and the Matildas’ 2023 World Cup campaign.”
“It really shows Australians will revere sporting heroes regardless of their gender. It’s the achievements and the sportsperson’s character that matter.”
“Some athletes are full of bravado… but that’s not who I am,” Cathy Freeman told The Weekly in an exclusive interview. “It’s just not where I’m from; it’s not who we are.”
“I just found absolute joy and freedom in running. I think the very first lessons for me in learning how to do that were as a 10-year-old kid being barefoot on sawdust in Outback Queensland, and being all on my own, doing something that brings you a lot of joy and freedom, and the sanctity of that. That’s something I learned from a very early age. Plus, it’s also part of my Indigenous heritage, so I love that.”
In January 20926, Cathy was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), the highest honour in the country.
“I am deeply honoured to be appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia,” Cathy wrote in a post on Australian Day. “I accept this recognition with humility and gratitude, and I share it with the many people who have supported me throughout my life — family, community, coaches, colleagues and friends.”
The numbers do start to vary when you go state by state. Although Cathy Freeman was still number one in New South Wales, rugby league player and partner of Matildas star Mary Fowler, Nathan Cleary, was a strong second.
Whereas in Victoria, Ash Barty was the most admired Australian sportsperson. Second to Ash was Neale Daniher, who recently passed away from motor neuron disease. He ranked on par with Sam Kerr.
Ash Barty was also the number one choice in Queensland, her home state, actually beating Cathy Freeman.
Unsurprisingly, Western Australia chose Sam Kerr, who’s from the state, as their most admired sports person.
South Australia was the only state to put a man in the top spot, with former AFL player Taylor Walker named most admired. However, we should point out that the report does not include respondents from ACT, NT, or Tasmania.
