Matildas FIFA World Cup 2023: Ian Thorpe, Cathy Freeman inspire Australia with private rev-ups

The Matildas will carry a secret weapon into the World Cup - armed with inside knowledge from two of Australia’s greatest ever athletes on how to triumph on home soil.

Australia's secret weapon: Ian Thorpe and Cathy Freeman give inspirational talks to Matildas.

Sydney Olympic heroes Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe have reached out to give the Matildas support and advice about handling the suffocating pressure of performing with expectation at a major world event on home soil.

No athletes have a greater insight into the pressure facing the Matildas, as their World Cup campaign kicks off in front of a sold out stadium in Sydney on Thursday night, than Freeman or Thorpe.

Freeman carried the hopes of a nation in the 400m final in Sydney having ignited the Olympic flame to open the Games while teen hero Thorpe swam his way to gold as a 17-year-old who was billed as the biggest superstar of the pool heading into his debut Olympics.

Cathy Freeman has spoken to the Matildas. Picture: ALLSPORT

Ian Thorpe spoke of the home pressure challenges. Picture: Getty

It can be revealed Freeman spoke directly with the Matildas during their pre-World Cup camp while Thorpe told Code Sports how he conquered his nerves and expectation to win three gold and two silver medals in Sydney.

“It is tough, there are no two ways around it,” Thorpe, speaking as an Optus ambassador said.

“The expectations are elevated from everyone.

“There are difficulties that come with that level of exposure and the fact that you are the only person in the world that can do what you do.

Champion swimmer Ian Thorpe knew how to perform under pressure for Australia.

“It is quite a unique world to live in. But if you asked me if I would give it back, absolutely not.

“I’m very happy with what I did, the way I went about it and the things that I was able to accomplish.”

Even at 17, Thorpe had the ability to take the pressure though and use it to his advantage.

“You need to feel as though the nation is pushing you on rather than being on your shoulders and holding you down,” Thorpe said.

“There is an excitement that we can have for the Matildas and what they are going to do, it is an amazing team.

“Whether it is Sam Kerr, one of the best football players in the world, Ellie Carpenter or Steph Catley – we have great footballers in this country and we can actually be excited about what they may or may not be able to do.

Australia will play in front of sold-out stadiums and with vocal support from home fans. Picture: Getty

“I think it is coming at a critical time for sport in this country,.

“I hope that the inspiration that comes from the FIFA Women’s World Cup does actually inspire young people to be out there participating in sport.

“The reality at the moment is we are looking at an Olympic Games being hosted in Brisbane in 2032.

“It is about nine years away. If you look at my own circumstances leading up the Sydney Olympics I always thought I’d be too young for as I’d be 17 – but primary school kids can be inspired by this to actually commit to a sporting goal and to be able to have an accomplishment that may lead them on to a Brisbane Olympic Games.”

Thorpe said he needed to feel “the nation is pushing you on”.

Thorpe is backing Optus’ Inspiration Grant program, which will give 64 Australian teenagers, aged 13-19, a $3000 grant to help them chase their dreams – from sporting goals to cultural, artistic opportunities and academic endeavours. Optus is offering 64 grants to celebrate the 64 matches that make up the Women’s World Cup.

Thorpe said the whole tournament, regardless of how deep the Matildas go had the power to inspire a new generation of athletes – just as the Sydney 2000 Olympics inspired so many of the Matildas.

As one of Australia’s greatest athletes, Samantha Kerr will carry the hopes of a nation into the World Cup. Picture: Getty

With cost of living pressures rising Thorpe said grants like this could help a young person make the leap to the elite level.

“It may not be the first step but it may be one of the steps to making their dream a reality and possibility for them,” Thorpe said.

“If I think back to myself and how it may have affected my family at that time, a grant like this really would have helped and I hope it does for families across the country.”

To apply for the grant visit optus.com.au/grants

Originally published as Matildas FIFA World Cup 2023: Ian Thorpe, Cathy Freeman inspire Australia with private rev-ups