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
Twenty seconds before a race, there's absolute focus. The key thing is to achieve relaxation, but at the same to have absolute total control. You've got to find the balance between being totally ready to go and being really at peace with yourself as well.
I lie around the floor with my cats Billy and Jazz or watch DVDs with my best friends.
I'll just let time happen. I don't have to articulate what may be or what may not be. I don't even do that to myself.
I'd like to see as many sports as I can because I have never had the chance to enjoy the other sports in the past.
Being overseas at the time it all kind of happened was perfect because I had no idea that it was going to attract so much media attention and provoke these lovely people calling in and offering up their opinions and advice.
People could see in me who I am now, an Olympic champ, the best in the world.
It is my second visit to Korea since the International Junior Athletic Championships in 1992. Both then and now, I felt Korea is an interesting country and the people are very kind.
I made publicity contracts with Nike, several broadcasting companies and airline companies within Australia.
I'm so lucky. I have such a great support system. All I have to do is run.
This occasion is personally very meaningful and I hope to visit Korea again if I have the chance.
Australians are a fantastic bunch of people but the attention can be overwhelming for someone like me.
I was running since I was 10. Since grade one at school people looked at me and thought, oh gosh she can really run, she's a natural.
I have a friend who, if she has a bad hair day, it affects her whole mood because it is part of her sexuality, her confidence. I don't have that problem any more.
I quite clearly have made the right decision in my heart, retirement was the way.