Australian Olympic champion Cathy Freeman has been named the nation's most admired sportsperson in a new poll, with tennis great Ash Barty and football star Sam Kerr close behind. The DemosAu survey asked Australian adults to name up to three athletes they most admire, and Freeman led with 10% of mentions, while Barty and Kerr each received 9%.
Women dominate the top spots
Freeman, who won 400m gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, was the clear favourite nationally. Barty, a former world No.1 in tennis, and Kerr, captain of the Matildas, were joint second. The trio's success on the global stage has resonated deeply with Australians, according to George Hasanakos, head of research at DemosAu.
"Nothing brings Australians together like major sporting occasions and millions of us watched Cathy Freeman's Olympic gold medal, Ash Barty's Australian Open win and the Matildas' 2023 World Cup campaign," Hasanakos said.
State-based variations emerge
While the three women topped the national list, the poll revealed distinct regional preferences. In Victoria, Neale Daniher, the late AFL player and coach who died from motor neurone disease, ranked second with 9% behind Barty. In New South Wales, Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary came second with 10%, trailing Freeman's 13%.
"Nathan Cleary's strong result in New South Wales shows how state-based sporting culture continues to influence which athletes people feel closest to," Hasanakos explained. "At the same time, Cathy Freeman's commanding lead demonstrates that the most powerful national sporting memories can reach well beyond any one code or generation."
Cricket and state-specific heroes
Cricketer Steve Smith, who was involved in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, has seen his image recover. He outpolled Australian captain Pat Cummins in NSW, although Cummins had broader national support.
South Australia was the only state among the five surveyed where none of the three women topped the list. Instead, Adelaide Crows veteran Taylor Walker was the most admired sportsperson in that state.
The poll's findings highlight the enduring impact of Freeman's iconic victory, the broad appeal of Barty and Kerr, and the continuing influence of local sporting heroes in shaping public admiration.
