Cathy Freeman

Cathy Freeman is one of Australia's most admired and respected athletes. She is an Australian superstar and an Australian icon.

Cathy has not been an overnight success. She has achieved her goals through hard work, commitment and natural talent becoming a world-class athlete and winning the ultimate prize in any sport - an Olympic gold medal. As one of Australia's most popular high profile personalities, Catherine is recognised for her modesty, free spirit and passion for her family and country.
Cathy Freeman became one of Australia's best known figures with double gold at the Commonwealth Games in 1994 in the 200m and 400m. Cathy also became the first Australian women to run under 50 seconds for 400m in Melbourne in 1996.
At the '96 Olympic Games, she became the sixth fastest women ever over 400m, running a Commonwealth record and winning the silver medal behind Marie-Jose Perec in arguably the greatest one lap race of all time.
Since Atlanta, Cathy Freeman has won back-to-back World Championships in 400m in 1997 and 1999. Freeman took the 200m/400m National title double in 2000 at Stadium Australia.
Cathy Freeman took the prestigious honour of lighting the Olympic Cauldron during the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. What followed was the realisation of a dream winning the 400m and claiming Australia's 100th Olympic Gold medal. This was backed up by a seventh placing in the final of the 200m, and running a great anchor leg for the Australian 4 x 400m relay team finishing fifth in a new Australian record time.
Other awards and honours include being voted World Sportswoman of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards (2001), the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY Awards (2001), The Don Award - Sport Australia Hall of Fame award given to the sportsperson who has most inspired the nation (2000) and being voted Australian of the Year (1998).