Cathy will have the entire audience captivated as she speaks about her experiences, her motivations, her achievements and her ability to achieve beyond the odd's.
Brief History
- She is Aboriginal, young and beautiful. She is a world champion, an Olympic Gold Medallist and a symbol of modern Australia. She is Catherine Freeman.
- Catherine Freeman, OAM, is one of Australia's most admired and respected athletes. She is an Australian superstar and an Australian icon.
- Catherine 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.
- Catherine Freeman burst on to the national scene in 1988 when she competed in the Australian schools championships. At just 15 years of age, she recorded strong performances in the 100m, 200m and 400m sprints, as well as the hurdles and jumps.
- In 1992, Catherine began to concentrate seriously on the 400m event and gained a place in this event at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games - her first taste of the Olympic spirit.
- Catherine Freeman has had many defining moments in her career including her victory lap at the 1994 Commonwealth Games where she proudly brandished both the Australian and Aboriginal flags. Front page images flashed around the world creating a celebrity out of a sportswoman and a diplomat with a serious message from a non-political young girl.
- Many other moments have followed including SOCOG's choice of Catherine to represent the world in lighting the Sydney Olympic flame, and her famous win in the Olympic 400m final.
- In 1997, Catherine became the world's number one 400m runner and has been virtually unbeatable since. After missing the 1998 Commonwealth Games through injury, Catherine returned to win the 400m at the 1999 World Championships setting her up for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
- At the Sydney Olympics, Catherine found out first hand what it meant to have the eyes of a nation on her. Having won the last two World Championships she was expected to win gold.
- The entire nation stopped to watch Catherine fulfill those expectations winning the 400m in 49.11 before a crowd of 110,000 inside Stadium Australia and a massive worldwide television audience.
- This pinnacle has secured Catherine's place as a truly international personality and role model. She is a symbol of Australia and all of it's people.
