Whether it’s beating England 5-0 in the Ashes or going down fighting like the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup, Australia is without a doubt a great sporting country.
And with the Commonwealth Games soon to provide yet another stage for the green and gold to shine, there’s no better time to look back at some of the country’s most memorable and inspiring sporting moments.
From classic cricket to the Tour de France and even an unexpected win at the Winter Olympics, these are our top sporting moments…
Legendary: John Aloisi celebrates victory over Japan in the group stage of the 2006 World Cup… an iconic moment for Socceroo
Killing the Samurai
John Aloisi’s penalty against Uruguay in 2005 was the iconic image of the Socceroos’ play-off victory to qualify for a first World Cup final since 1974. But the victory over Japan in the 2006 group stage was just as unforgettable. At 0-1, attackers Tim Cahill, Josh Kennedy and Aloisi were substituted. Two goals from Cahill and a late goal from Aloisi wrote history.
Unexpected hero
Speed skater Steven Bradbury has worked his entire life to reach the final of the Winter Olympics, but he is best known for the setbacks of his opponents in Salt Lake City in 2002. He achieved Australia’s first individual Olympic gold at the Winter Games when the other four finalists fell in the last corner.
Glide to the finish: Steve Bradbury celebrates his unexpected victory in the 2002 Winter Olympics final
Everyone is Cathy
If Cathy Freeman felt the weight of a nation’s expectations on her shoulders after lighting the flame of the Olympic opening ceremony at Sydney 2000, the skin suit hero didn’t show it as she pedaled away in the final turn of the 400 meters. However, her relief as she paraded with the Aboriginal and Australian flags was evident and as special a moment as the race itself.
The nation’s darling: Cathy Freeman made Australia proud with her multiple gold medals at the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games
The Thorpedo
Ian Thorpe’s tremendous swimming performance in the 4x100m freestyle relay at Sydney 2000 – which the US had not lost since its introduction in 1964 – was special. Klim took the lead, Fydler and Kallus held it… and then Thorpe. Fresh off the 400 meter gold, he gave rival Gary Hall Jr. a masterclass, giving up half a body length before overwhelming him when it came to the gold.
Moment of triumph: Ian Thorpe cheers after winning the men’s 200m freestyle final at the 2004 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatic Center in Athens
Going for gold: Ian Thorpe’s glittering career included some spectacular Olympic victories
David defeats Goliath
Australia II’s victory in the 1983 America’s Cup captured the nation’s imagination.
David defeated Goliath – the US – ending their 132-year rule.
The scenes at Constitution Dock were inspiring as the ship skippered by John Bertrand docked.
Prime Minister Bob Hawke famously said, “Any boss who fires someone for not showing up today is a bum.”
Setting a new standard
Pat Cash was more than an underdog when he defeated world No. 1 Ivan Lendl in the 1987 Wimbledon final.
The Melbourne serve-volleyer was expected to fold but he refused and won in straight sets.
Wearing his iconic plaid headband, Cash also became the first championship winner to climb the stands of the All England Club.
Tennis champion: Pat Cash started the trend of moving into boxing after winning Wimbledon in 1987
Ball of the century
Shane Warne took 708 wickets in 145 career Tests, but his first delivery in Ashes cricket at Old Trafford in 1993 has to be the most memorable. Mike Gatting had no idea when Warne threw his ‘release agent’ outside the leg stump, twisted him like a demon and clipped the top of the stump. Gatting was stunned. Fans are still amazed.
Cricket legend: Shane Warne’s first delivery in the 1993 Ashes was perhaps his most memorable
The Don dominates
The greatest achievement of cricket’s greatest batsman cannot escape mention. Sir Donald Bradman’s 334 that failed to race at Headingley in 1930 was ferocious. He tore apart the England attack that won the previous Ashes series 4-1, scoring 309 runs on the opening day. Even with modern developments, no one has matched that achievement.
The greatest batsman of all time: Sir Donald Bradman tore the England team apart in the 1930 Ashes
Above the suit
Alex Jesaulenko’s 1970 ‘sign of the century’ was surpassed by Leo Barry’s fearless grab in the 2005 AFL Grand Final, which ended Sydney’s 72-year title drought. The full-back had no regard for personal safety, threw himself into the pack and came up with the pill – a decisive act for the Swans and an exclamation point on a man-of-the-match effort.
Taking the yellow jersey: Cadel Evans dazzled the crowd with an acceptance speech in both French and English as he won the 2011 Tour de France
Live l’Australia
Cadel Evans overcame the odds to win the 2011 Tour de France. He reached the pinnacle of his sport through dogged determination and guile, battling the elements and politics that make the race such a contest. He then accepted his crown with class – a speech in French and then English won him admiration far beyond his home borders
