Ian Thorpe and Cathy Freeman’s Sydney Olympics anniversary tradition

They are two of Australia’s greatest athletes, but what few people know is that every year, on the anniversary of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Ian Thorpe and Cathy Freeman privately mark the occasion together.

They are two of Australia’s greatest athletes, but what few people know is that every year, on the anniversary of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Ian Thorpe and Cathy Freeman give each other a call.

However, this year, fresh from commentating at the Tokyo Olympics, Thorpe forgot the date and had to be reminded by his fellow gold-medal-winning friend.

Ian Thorpe on receiving more recognition out of the pool. (Picture: Daniel Nadel)

“We speak to each other on September 16, but this year I forgot, so she texted to remind me,” the retired swimmer tells Stellar On Friday.

“We’ve always gotten along so well and we had a similar experience at the Olympic Games because we probably had the most pressure on us of any athletes. We get to relive that privately together, knowing what the other has been through.”

During their chat this year, Thorpe brought Freeman up to speed on his latest pursuits, including his cooking exploits on Celebrity MasterChef Australia and his involvement as executive producer on the new Australian feature film Streamline, which tells the story of a teenage swimming prodigy.

After being pitched various scripts over the years, Thorpe – who has a cameo role as a commentator – says he was particularly impressed by the team behind the film and young lead actor Levi Miller.

Find more exclusives in this Sunday’s Stellar.

While Thorpe, 39, has been open about his issues around sexuality and mental health, he says that 21 years on from the glory of the 2000 Games, he’s grateful for the depth of experience his swimming career has since afforded him.

With his commentary at the Tokyo Olympics widely applauded, he’s still recognised on the international stage – and by international stars.

As he laughingly recounts, he was at last year’s Golden Globe Awards when US actor Joe Manganiello, who was there with his TV star wife Sofía Vergara, called out: “Oh my God, there’s the Thorpedo.” “I laughed to myself,” Thorpe recalls. “It was so bizarre.”