Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman
Catherine Astrid Salome "Cathy" Freeman, OAMis an Australian former sprinter, who specialised in the 400 metres event. She would occasionally compete in other track events but 400m was her main event. Her personal best of 48.63 currently ranks her as the sixth fastest woman of all time, set while finishing second to Marie-Jose Perec's number three time at the 1996 Olympics. She became the Olympic champion for the women's 400 metres at the 2000 Summer Olympics, at which she lit the...
NationalityAustralian
ProfessionRunner
Date of Birth16 February 1973
CountryAustralia
The Athens Olympics will be meaningful even though I cannot participate as an athlete, since I can participate in the flame relay all over the world.
My last real race was at the Olympics in Sydney in 2000.
Between 1991 and 1997 I had really serious asthma.
I don't have a lot of regrets in my life.
I don't like people looking at me; I hate the attention.
I have time to breathe, time to be myself more often, I am a lot more relaxed and less guarded.
I feel like I've reached an age where I can relax a little bit with the knowledge of what I've been through, take all that experience and use it. I love the challenge of trying to get back to where I've been, and beyond it.
I quite clearly have made the right decision in my heart, retirement was the way.
I do not have any official responsibilities related to the Australian Olympic Committee or the Federation of Athletic Associations since I am too busy with my private business.
I definitely do things on my terms, it may not seem that way but I actually do.
When I'm in a bad mood, I don't listen.
I'm certainly not ready to go changing the world overnight right now. I'm completely uninformed about a lot of our issues, a lot of the nation's issues, not just Indigenous issues.
My feelings tried to control me on my run. I had to concentrate fully on forthcoming running and success. I wanted to triumph.
I like looking feminine and I enjoy being a role model. I enjoy being a woman. It all comes down to having the confidence to be who you are.