11.10.2006

McCann, Rouge-Serret and Samuels honoured at prestigious Sport Australia Hall of Fame awards

Kerryn McCann, who captured the hearts of the nation after her memorable 2006 Commonwealth Games marathon win and victory lap, was last night honoured with the prestigious 'The Don' award at the glamorous Sport Australia Hall of Fame awards held at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne.

�The Don' award is named after Australia's greatest sporting legend and first inductee to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, Sir Donald Bradman.

The award is presented to an athlete who has the capacity to most inspire the nation by his or her performance whilst displaying the characteristics of sportsmanship, courage, inspiration and dignity.

After running nearly 42km, the 38-year-old captured the hearts of the nation and up to 80,000 screaming fans at the MCG when she entered the stadium with Kenyan Hellen Cheron Koskei right by her side.

With 300 metres to go, an almighty roar rose from the packed MCG as McCann and Koskei battled neck-and-neck all the way to the line, with the mother of two narrowly prevailing.

"If the people weren't out there I wouldn't have gotten a gold medal today," an exhausted McCann told the awaiting media after the event.

"I came through the tunnel and heard the crowd roar. That wasn't me running that last 300 metres," McCann said.

Her emotional victory lap with her son Benton, 8, has been heralded as one of the most memorable moments of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

McCann took out the 2006 The Don award in conjunction with the 2006 World Cup finals football team and joins fellow athletes Cathy Freeman (2005) and Heather Turland (1998) to be bestowed with the honour.

"I was delighted to just be a finalist and never expected to win," said the Australian marathon champion after receiving the award.

"After years and years of training it�s nice to be recognised for all of your hard work, it makes it all worthwhile."

McCann, a huge soccer fan, was thrilled to be presented with the award in conjunction with members of the Socceroos.

"I was so excited to be standing up there with the boys. I am a huge soccer fan and considering what they have achieved this year, they deserved to win."

Danny Corcoran, CEO of Athletics Australia, attended the evening along with several Directors of the Board.

"I am delighted that Kerryn received 'The Don' Award," said Corcoran after the presentation.

"It is a fitting tribute to one of our most successful female marathon runners."

John Bradman, the son of Sir Donald Bradman, presented the awards last night to McCann and the Socceroos. Upon his induction to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in December 1985, Sir Donald Bradman encapsulated the spirit of the Hall of Fame and all that �The Don� Award represents, when he stated the following:

"When considering the stature of an athlete, or for that matter, any person, I set great store in certain qualities which I believe to be essential in addition to skill."

"They are that the person conducts his or her life with dignity, with courage and perhaps most of all with modesty."

"These virtues are totally compatible with pride, emotion and competitiveness."

Future stars of Australian athletics were also honoured last night. Aaron Rouge-Serret and Dani Samuels, both 18, joined three other young Australian sporting stars to be awarded inaugural Spirit of Sport scholarships.

"Athletics Australia is thrilled to have two track and field athletes, in Dani and Aaron, receive Spirit of Sport scholarships out of the five on offer, which is excellent recognition for the two athletes and our sport," said Danny Corcoran, CEO of Athletics Australia.

Both talented young athletes have had outstanding years. In August, Sydney teenager Dani Samuels set a new personal best and shot the 16-year-old Australian junior record to pieces, clinching the World Junior Championships discus title with a throw of 60.63 metres.

Melbourne sprinter Aaron Rouge-Serret also set a new personal best at the IAAF World Junior Championships, producing a 10.43s in the 100m and just missed out a place in the final.

The five young athletes each received a cash grant of $5000 to contribute towards their sporting expenses. In addition, each athlete is also provided with a �hero� and �mentor�, a regular contact who can guide them through their sporting and personal life.

For advice and guidance Rouge-Serret will be looking up to Kevin Gosper and Gary Honey, whilst Samuels will be contacting Robert De Castella and Pam Ryan to help her through the riggers of elite competition.

The showcase of the athletics competition at the 2006 Commonwealth Games was also honoured last night. After an impressive makeover, the centrepiece of Australian sport, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, was awarded the "Spirit of Sport" award.

The mighty MCG attracted crowds of more than 80,000 spectators for each day of the track and field program and the opening and closing ceremonies.

The Spirit of Sport award was introduced to recognise extraordinary sporting achievement that captures the heart of the nation which is destined to become part of Australian sporting history.

For further media information or to arrange athlete interviews, please contact:

Michelle Cook � Athletics Australia Media
0430 177 668 or michelle@jumpmedia.com.au

David Culbert � Athletics Australia Media
0417 242 641 or david@jumpmedia.com.au