Although Freeman was not taken from her family, she had a difficult childhood. She was molested as a child, and both her younger sister and her father died.
When Freeman was still a girl, her talent in running was obvious. Her mother, Cecilia, encouraged her to pursue her interest in athletics, and when she was ten, her stepfather, Bruce Barber, told her she could win a gold medal at the Olympics if she trained properly. However, although she had the talent, she was also a member of a minority group that historically had not had access to the same resources that other athletes had. Freeman was one of only a few Aborigines who won a scholarship to a boarding school where she could learn and train.
At the age of 15, she competed at the National School Championships, and did well enough to be encouraged to try out for the 1990 Commonwealth Games team. She made the team as a sprinter, and was a member of the 4 × 100-meter relay team, which won gold at the Commonwealth Games.
In 1990, she competed in the Australian National Championships, winning the 200 meters, and then ran in the 100, 200, and 4 × 100-meter races at the World Junior Games in Bulgaria. During this time, she met Nick Bideau, an Australian track official who would later become her coach, manager, and boyfriend.
User Comments Add a comment…
3 days ago
hello cathy my is simplice I am 13 years old i have been reading book about u i wish one day i will be like u stong and win many gold likeb u
7 days ago
thanks my home works done and i am so sorry that your brother died your sister died and your father died my whole family is so upset:( but you still made it through the hard life but at least you made it through the really really really hard life you were living even though your part abourigianil you still wen't on and did it and came first in alot of races i am doing a biography on you so thank you so much i have to go now so good bye.
15 days ago
i think that you are a great inspiration to all austrlains out there. i love your determination and everything.i wish u didnt retire because i would i would look forward to the olympics running every year. YOUR A TRUE BLUE AUSSIE HERO xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoo nicole
15 days ago
wow, imanother person who had to write about you, twice this year. i choose you for your ability to runa nd because you one some gold metals! you done well ;D
19 days ago
heyy for school we had to do a research assignment on a famous aboriginal or indigenous person for sose/english as a combined project. i chose youo because you were the first one that came to mind and the fact that i love sport i wante dto do someone involved in sport.when researching you i found a bibliography about you i never new that you were molested as a child i feel so sorry for my and my conldolences are with you fro you younger sister and father xoxo nicole
24 days ago
Hey! Iam from western Cape college in weipa! you came to our school not long back. i just wanna say thank you for helpin
about 1 month ago
Hey Cathy!! Well im going to write an essay about you for my rich-task at my school Nauru College. And I think this is a bit help for it. Thanx!!..love alwayzz...
about 1 month ago
Hey there Catherine it is me Dannielle again i just wanted to pop and say hi again. Few weeks ago i heard that you was coming out to Charters Towers to see us Pass kids but than i heard that you weren't coming so than i go sad. They than had told me that your brother had passed away in a car crash i am very sorry on your lose. When they had told me that was when i started to cry and than i had never spoke to no one after that i sat quietly in my own space wondering if you was okay and that you didn't have a hard time. Well i see that i have to go well i am going to do, so i shall post another comment once i am on the computer again. love yuo dearly always remembered. Love From Dannielle Alisha Sarmardin
2 months ago
KATHYY WE HAVE TO WRITE ABOUT AN AUSTRALIAN HERO AND I CHOSE YOU BECAUSE IM FAST LIKE YOU. IN MY CARNIVAL I RN 100M IN 10.4SECS. I WANA BECOME LIKE YOU
2 months ago
hi cathy!!!!! ive read ur autobio born to run. i like the bit how u stabbed urself with the wire. its funny. also ur ten tips at the end really help. i made my first districts using them!! -AnNa
2 months ago
Hi, this site has been the best help with my assignment and all aye. it has helped me soooooooooo much i am not trying to be funny cause usually im not.
2 months ago
Gee i dont know what to say this site has been a big help to me and i am doing an assignment on you and this has been great. <= thanx=>
2 months ago
hey cathy u rock
2 months ago
yo cathy u rock i wish i can run fast like u
2 months ago
Ahh Cathy i need to knoe what are you doing now that you are retired i really need to knoe cause i have a assignment and it is handed in tomorrow
2 months ago
HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You Rock Cathy!! I'm 11 years old and I think you are Sooooo cool!! in class we had to write who our fav. Athlete was. I put you!!! my friends Sam and Lachlan say you rock our socks!!! See ya
2 months ago
Hey there Cathy it is me Dannielle Again i can remember that last comment that i posted on here it was like 5 months ago. Well life is treating me good i am now doing a traineership with Pass Australia i am trying to become a junior coach. It was sad when i didn't see you competiting in the Olympic games i thought that you would have stayed in but than i have noticed that you love to do modeling. Well i have to go i shall post a comment to you another day. Bye From Dannielle Alisha Sarmardin
2 months ago
Hi Cathy, Wow your just amazing!!!! I'm writing a Biography at school about you (as well as all my friends!!!). And your my new HERO!!! YOU GO GIRL!!!! Savie
2 months ago
Hi Cathy, My name is Tim Walker and I am 8 years old. You won a Gold Medal at the Olympics in the year I was born. I am doing a project for school and have chosen you because you are a really good runner like me and one day I would like to compete in the Olympics. I think you 'rock'
3 months ago
Hi cathy at school we are doing the night of the notables and im doing you. and i think you rock. if would be so great if you can came. ST.Jons College. in Dariwn its in sepmber
3 months ago
Hi! Cathy, I think you're great. I just started running track this year, and made it all the way to the Junior Olympics for the high jump and triple jump. When I saw a commercial on you, I was touched by your story, but I had one question. Where did you practice if you were out in the brush? Were there tracks out there? It's just a question. You rock! Kate
3 months ago
hi cathy i think you rock and im doing a project on you.
3 months ago
hey cathy i raced you at science works you are awsome but my boyfriend bate you. i am doing a project on you and it will look great
3 months ago
cathy is the besttt
3 months ago
U rock gal cuz U DA BOMB!!! Such an inspiration to all those young athletes out there. Lets show da world!!! Look out Australia. Keep Rockin!!! Much love KAT
3 months ago
Hi there Cathy! You are awesome! Your a fantastic inspiration! I am doing a Heroes speech on you for English, i was wondering if you could help me explain how you've inspired different Aboriginal Children. Your the Best! From Joanna!
3 months ago
Hi there! Cathy you rock! Your a great inspiration. I am dong a Hero speech on you, and I was wondering if you could tell me the different ways of how you've insipred Aboriginal children! Thankyou! From Joanna
3 months ago
Hi Cathy, we are doing a project on a Australian Olympic athlete and could you send me stuff about your first 35 years of life. You rule Stephanie xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
3 months ago
Hey Cathy, I am doing a project on a past Olympic hero, and I am doing you! I am not sure if you can remember but I met you at the 2006 Commonwealth Games... I think you are awesome
4 months ago
Omg u rock.i luv u soo much ur an inspiration
5 months ago
Dear Cathy, in class we had to choose a topic on the subject 'A day that stopped Australia". I chose your 400m race at the sydney olypics. I would just like the opportunity to say that you have done well to represent the Aboriginal community of Australia, and played a great role model for young Australians aspiring to be an Athlete. Well Done! Bibi xxoxoxo
5 months ago
i can't believe YOUR boyfriend was ur coach AND manager!!!!
5 months ago
hey Cathy i have to do a assesment on the olympics and we r doing a biography and your the first person i came up with. rock on cathy
6 months ago
omg cathy u r mii role model i wanna do the same thing as u
6 months ago
I am doing an article on Cathy. This is a GREAT website. It is easy to read and understand. I will be defently recommending it.
6 months ago
To Dear Cathy, i am inspired from you, you are the greatest athlete ever. I run and one day i want to go to the Olympics. i am 13 and i havent got to nationals yet, but i nearly did this year in 80mHurdles. i reckon your the best ever! Love Sarah xoxoxo
6 months ago
hey ya cathy im doing a project on you and could write a eamil or something to me cause i need to do a biography on you and i think the best way to do it would be cathy freeman her self thanks ... p.s i think you rock the aboriginal society for what you have done! ty
6 months ago
hi cathy freeman my name is suzanna collins i am doing a assignment on you and want to know more about you and your life as a young athlete.......wow you made alot of people really proud and keep it up......
6 months ago
hey cathy,im also doin a project at my school and i just want to say well done on all your success..
6 months ago
i love u iam in grd6 and i had to choose u love jazzyfizzle
6 months ago
Im doin a project on you and i was wondering if you can give me some more details about you.
6 months ago
Hey Cathy Hey.. um im doing my Assignment on you because your a great person to do it on
7 months ago
i have todo a big project for P:E and we have todo a report on a athletics person and u r the first i that came in mind u r 1of my heros i wish i could run lyku live on CATHY FREEMAN we luv u hope ur lyf is treatin u well bye bye
7 months ago
hi cathy i'm doing a project on you and i would like to know a little bit more about you regards teissa
7 months ago
Hey, Cathy I am doing a assighnment on you and you are a wounderful person to do it on :) Your a survivor XoX Clo XoX YA FAST :)
7 months ago
OMG CATHY U R SO KOOL WE ARE DOIN A BIO ON U AND I THINK U R ARSUM U ROCK FROM MEGHAN AND MONIQUE!!!!!!!
7 months ago
shaylee w-h-s go Cathy Freeman!!! 2008
7 months ago
Heyy Heyy Cathy, Your sooo Amazing...!!! We are Doing A Project And i tought id use you seen as tho your my favourite Athlete... XD Congratulations On Everything. Love Ya Nicola xx
7 months ago
i am doin a project on u cathy
7 months ago
Go Cathy
7 months ago
Hey Cathy, your amazing congrats on everthing!
7 months ago
I dont know if you actually read these things. But i thought i would leave a comment saying i am righting and essay on racism and i am using you to show that people can over come the racism and horror and become something better. like you did. :)
7 months ago
hey kathy ur the best runner ever im doing my project on you
7 months ago
Hey Cathrine i'm doing a speech on you and i'm going to make them proud of you 4 support of the Aboriginal
7 months ago
Well I'm really sorry about your family especially your sister well i will send you another message BYE BYE From Kennedy
7 months ago
you da best good luck 4 the future and im doing a biography on you =]
8 months ago
So Sad For Her
8 months ago
Hi CAthy you are a very interesting person. I have read your autobiography and think that you are a very strong person, good luck 4 the future
8 months ago
Cathy is da best..!!!!
8 months ago
hey cathy im am from tas and this has really been good for my research task, it must have been hard to put that on there you really are a grate person plz wright back i would love to know more
8 months ago
hey cathy i think ur the best. im doing an speech on u and how u are the one i admier. your the best bye
8 months ago
thanks for the info i have been looking for this kind of info for a high school project for days.this a great site.Cathy you rock.your a great runner.Luv ya.
8 months ago
Hey there Cathy my name is Dannielle Sarmardin and i come from Mount Isa, a little town they call the Isa. And i just wanted to pop in and say "hello" and to see how has life been and that i reckon that you are the best Aboriginal person that i have ever read about. To let you know that i am a Aboriginal to and i was born in Darwin but i live and grew up in the Isa. So yeah and i was just checking in to see how life is and how has life been treating you well i have to go now because i am trying to find something to do on the computer. And if you have anytime is it alright if you could email me so that i could get to know you better and you to get to know me better. Well bye From Dannielle Alisha Sarmardin
8 months ago
hey im danielle, i would really like to talk to you about some stuff. my mums your 2nd cousin coz her uncle george latham is your great grandad or something. i live in south australia. please email me. Danielle x
8 months ago
i think cathy sucks
8 months ago
hey cathy! i just want you to know that i admire you because you are my hero and also that you are one of the few athletes that is a girl and has managed to become pretty famous and i love you for that and also that you managed to push through and have a pretty good life dispite everything that happened to you in your childhood. You are a hero to me and i think most of this country. Thankyou for being such an inspiration to me, Man if i got one wish in the world i would chose to get my dad back and then to see you.
8 months ago
hey cathy your the best runner in the world thats what i think
8 months ago
I think cathy is a cool person and great leader.Her courige is great and proves you can do what you want I want to no more about her
8 months ago
hey im mayra i have to do a talk on an famous australian aboriganal and i chose u because i wanted to learn a lot more about u .u wreally inspired me to never ever give up ur dream im in year seven by the way,well any way i hope i get an a on my talk.U ROCK!!! LOV YA XOXO,
8 months ago
hey u really cool ur so fast iam now in grade 6 and we doing 3 minutes talk in front of our class about an famous Australian and i chosed u because i wanted to learn more about. i hope u have a great life. LOVE U VERY MUCH!!! 000
8 months ago
rook on cathy
8 months ago
hey great site cathy you rock this info really help me keep smiling......... xx
9 months ago
Cathy Freeman i am inspired by you really helped me to do a project on you, thankyou.
9 months ago
Cathy your my rock...your my idol tooo...and i i had one wish it would be to be you ...:):) bye xx
9 months ago
hello im bridye and im a big fan ur my hero i wat to be just like u
9 months ago
u rock ! im in grade 7 and i hav 2 do a talk on indigenous australians and i chose u cause i love u thx btw i love u hana
9 months ago
UR SO COOL i really think that ur a really good role model and it proves that anyone can do anything if u put effort into it! KEEP ON GOING CATHY!!!!!!!!!!! UR NO.1 FAN HANA
9 months ago
i really admire ure work and find it interesting to research u and its amazing how fast u can run. Is it true that u r the firsst person to ight the torch and win a gold medal? Im such a big fan i even did my australian of the year report on u. YOUR THE BEST EVER
9 months ago
I think it is necessary to point out that "this practice" was not "intended" to help the aboriginal people. How is "taking" someone from their parents helpful??? This is abduction!
11 months ago
Hi! I'm Kate I am 13 and in Year 7. This story was sad. I just read it. I am proud of Cathy and what she has achieved. She is a great role model. I live in Gunnedah in NSW. Nice to send a email to 1 big fan I never choose before.
11 months ago
hey i'm margaret and ummm i'm really happy for you cause you persued your dreams and it came true. YOU ROCK CATHY!
12 months ago
He Cathy u rock i am in grd 6 and we have to do an test on an famus australian so i choose u. the only thing that i didnt find out was if u have siblings thnx
about 1 year ago
hey i think cathy is awsum its shame she is retired. u rok cathy! all the best 4 ur lyf
about 1 year ago
hey cathy we like all your info n all it has really helped well thanks love destiiny
about 1 year ago
Hey thanks alot i'm doing an assignment on cathy for a sose assignment... im in gradde 8 *high skool* and i got the assignment about 3 days ago... i am 13 by the way... we had to choose an event or famous person in the history books and do an oral report bout it thx alot lol.!
about 1 year ago
This amount of informtaion was a great hand to me and my name is beau i am in year six but 12 years old
about 1 year ago
This information helped me with my project, and I think you should start adding more info.
about 1 year ago
thanks for the info on cathy freeman. It was just the right info to answer the question in my project on her childhood! thanks again :)
about 1 year ago
hello cathy im doing a project about you and its going well i am from the same back ground from you love kahlee
about 1 year ago
cathy freeman is like the coolest Aboriginal around me hole family loves her............love lozza
about 1 year ago
hey you are a good athele to little kids
about 1 year ago
this info helped me alot with my project on Cathy keep up the good work Amzy
about 1 year ago
this info really helped me on my project about Cathy! keep up the good work a litle more info needed Amzy
about 1 year ago
This info helped me alot thanks! it helped me in lots of ways so thanks you........ Tash
about 1 year ago
I searched everywhere for this part of information on Cathy Freeman, but I couldn't find it anywhere, and my project is due next week. Finding this information is just lifesaving. Thanks very much. lani
about 1 year ago
i love this info it has helped me aswell do my project on C athy freeman...becky
about 1 year ago
I love your info! It helped me do my biography on Cathy Freeman. Emily.
about 1 year ago
She lived in mackay ,Queensland and went to St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School. I went there and she came and answered questions and stuff.
about 1 year ago
thank you alot daam cathy lived a bad childhood but the good thing is she turnt her life into sumthing plus this site is great it has helped me aloy with my assignment
about 1 year ago
this website needs more info and could go into more detaiil !! :-) but is was ok
about 1 year ago
thanks alot this is great website thanku alot g2g bibi
about 1 year ago
Hi i am louisa, i would just like to say thankyou for everything and i am in year 5 and i am 11 thankyou you guys are the best i needed this website for my project for Cathy Freeman THANKYOU LOUISA
about 1 year ago
This is a lot of great informaton and it has help me out with my school essay. I'm i year 7 and I'm 13 years old. Thank-You