Soccer-Matildas get surprise visit from Australian sporting hero Freeman

FILE PHOTO: Australia's Cathy Freeman (C) crosses the finish line to win the womens 400m final at the Sydney Olympic Games September 25, 2000. Freeman won the race with a time in 49.11 seconds. Heide Seyerling of South Africa (L) and Mexico's Ana Guevara (R) finished sixth and fifth respectively/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Matildas defender Aivi Luik said the World Cup squad was left stunned by a surprise visit from former athlete Cathy Freeman, whose run to 400m gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics inspired a generation of Australian athletes.

The retired sprint star was the first Australian Aboriginal athlete to win an individual Olympic gold and many of the Matildas listed her performance as a defining moment of their childhood.