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Whether crushing England 5-0 in the Ashes or going down fighting like the Socceroos did in the 2006 World Cup, Australia is undoubtedly a great sporting nation.
And with the Commonwealth Games soon to offer another stage for the green and gold to shine, there is no better time to remember some of the nation’s most memorable and inspiring sporting moments.
From classic cricket to the Tour de France and even an upset victory at the Winter Olympics, these are our best sporting moments…
Legendary: John Aloisi celebrates victory over Japan in the 2006 World Cup group stage… an iconic moment for Socceroo
Killing the samurai
John Aloisi’s penalty against Uruguay in 2005 was the iconic image of the Socceroos’ playoff victory to qualify for the first World Cup finals since 1974. But the victory over Japan in the 2006 group stage was equally unforgettable. At 0-1, forwards Tim Cahill, Josh Kennedy and Aloisi were substituted. Two goals from Cahill and a late one from Aloisi made history.
unexpected hero
Speed skater Steven Bradbury worked his entire life to reach a Winter Olympic final, but he is best known for his opponents’ misfortune at Salt Lake City 2002. He achieved Australia’s first individual gold at the Winter Olympics. Winter when the other four finalists fell in the final corner.
Sliding to the finish line: Steve Bradbury celebrates his unexpected victory in the 2002 Winter Olympics final
Cathy of all
If Cathy Freeman felt the weight of a nation’s expectations on her shoulders at Sydney 2000 after lighting the Olympic opening ceremony flame, the fur-suit-clad heroine didn’t show it when she pulled away in the final turn of the 400 meters. However, her relief at parading with the Aboriginal and Australian flags was clear and it was a moment as special as the race itself.
The nation’s sweetheart: Cathy Freeman made Australia proud with her multiple Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medals
The Thorped
Ian Thorpe’s Herculean swim in the 4x100m freestyle relay at Sydney 2000, which the United States had not lost since it was introduced in 1964, was special. Klim took the lead, Fydler and Kallus held it… then Thorpe. Fresh from gold in the 400 metres, he gave rival Gary Hall Jr a masterclass, giving up half his body before sinking him when it mattered for gold.
Moment of triumph: Ian Thorpe is jubilant after winning the men’s 200m freestyle final at the 2004 Olympic Games at the Athens Olympic Aquatics Centre.
Going for gold: Ian Thorpe’s brilliant career included some spectacular Olympic victories
David defeats Goliath
Australia II’s triumph in the 1983 America’s Cup captured the nation’s imagination.
David defeated Goliath, the United States, ending his 132 years of domination.
The scenes at Constitution Dock were inspiring as the ship skippered by John Bertrand docked.
Prime Minister Bob Hawke famously stated: “Any boss who fires someone for not showing up today is a bum.”
Setting a new standard
Pat Cash overcame the underdog by beating world number one Ivan Lendl in the 1987 Wimbledon final.
The Melbourne serve-and-volleyer was expected to retire, but he refused and won in straight sets.
Wearing his iconic checkered headband, Cash also became the first championship winner to take to the stands at the All England Club.
Tennis champion: Pat Cash started the trend of getting into boxing after winning Wimbledon in 1987
ball of the century
Shane Warne took 708 wickets in 145 Tests in his career, 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 launched his ‘loosener’ outside the leg stump, swung it like a demon and sliced through the top of the stump. Gatting was puzzled. Fans still marvel.
Cricket legend: Shane Warne’s first delivery in 1993 Ashes was perhaps his most memorable
The Don dominates
The greatest achievement of the greatest batsman in cricket cannot go unmentioned. Sir Donald Bradman’s 334 that didn’t come out in 1930 at Headingley was ferocious. He wrecked the England attack that won the previous Ashes series 4-1, scoring 309 runs in the opening day’s game; Even with modern advancements, no one has matched that feat.
Greatest batsman of all time: Sir Donald Bradman destroyed the England team in the 1930 Ashes
Above the package
Alex Jesaulenko’s ‘century mark’ in 1970 was surpassed by Leo Barry’s brave catch in the 2005 AFL Grand Final that ended Sydney’s 72-year title drought. The full-back showed no regard for personal safety, waded into the huddle and took the pill – a decisive move for the Swans and an exclamation point in their man-of-the-match effort.
Bagging the yellow jersey: Cadel Evans dazzled the crowd with an acceptance speech in French and English when he won the Tour de France in 2011.
Live Australia
Cadel Evans beat the odds to win the 2011 Tour de France. He reached the pinnacle of his sport through dogged determination and cunning, battling the elements and politics that make the race such a competition. He then accepted the crown from him with class: a speech in French and then in English earned him admiration beyond his borders.