When decorated Australian hockey great Rechelle Hawkes travels to the London Olympics this year, her name will be on display for millions to see.
Hawkes and 360 other athletes from across the globe will have a London tube re-named in their honour for the Games.
The cornerstone of the Hockeyroos golden era under Ric Charlesworth, Hawkes will share the recognition with the likes of boxing great Muhammad Ali and swimming sensation Michael Phelps.
Hawkes, who captained the Hockeyroos for eight years was flattered to be included.
“Since the Olympics started there has been thousands of athletes from so many different countries, so to be recognised amongst such a small number is really special,” Hawkes said.
Just six hockey players were included, Dutch sensation Stephan Veen and German Carsten Fischer considered with Hawkes, amongst the greatest athletes in the world.
“It shows there has been many great performances by hockey players internationally and to have an Australian in there is great,” Hawkes said. “I’ll definitely have to try and get to that stop, it will be interesting to see.”
Hawkes won three Olympic gold medals at Seoul, Atlanta and Sydney and holds the record for Australian caps at 279.
To add to her remarkable achievements she boasts two World Cup wins, five Champions Trophies and a Commonwealth Games gold.
Originally from Perth, and one of the finest athletes to pass through the Western Australian Institute of Sport, she debuted for the Hockeyroos in 1985 and retired in 2000 and was later inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame and AIS Best of the Best.
Hawkes hopes the Hockeyroos will return to their former glory at this year’s Games.
The new breed of Hockeyroos take on the USA on the Sunshine Coast this week as another key part of their Olympic preparation.
“I watched them play in Perth recently and they looked sharp and fit and their structures were working well,” she said.
“They are seventh in the world at the moment but I don’t think that is an accurate reflection of where they are at.
“They have good foundations, their penalty corners have improved and they are definitely a medal chance in London.”
The first game of series against the USA hits off on Thursday.
– Hockey Australia
