Cathy Freeman Biography - A Difficult Childhood, Competes In Barcelona Olympics, Wins Olympic Silver, Wins Gold At The Sydney Olympics - CONTACT INFORMATION
australia australian
1973-
Australian track and field athlete
Australian runner Cathy Freeman is the first Aborigine ever to compete in the Olympics, and the first to wave the Aboriginal flag at a sporting event. Freeman lit the Olympic flame at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, and won a gold medal in the 400 meters at those Games.
Cathy Freeman
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address: c/o Athletics Australia, Suite 22, Fawkner Tower, 431 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne 30004, Victoria, Australia.
Sketch by Kenneth R. Shepherd
Additional Topics
Freeman's grandmother was part of the "stolen generation" of Aboriginal people in Australia—from the early 20th century until the 1970s, many Aboriginal children were taken from their parents to be raised in state-run institutions. This practice was intended to remove the children from the poverty, disease, and addiction that plagued many aboriginal people, but it also …
In 1992, she competed in the 400-meter relay at the Barcelona Olympics, making it to the second qualifying round. She also was a member of the 4 × 100 meter team, which ran in the final but did not win a medal. At the World Junior Championships in 1992, she won a silver medal in the 200 meters. In 1993, she made it to the semifinals in the 200 meters in the World Championships. In 1994, Fre…
Freeman was, of course, Australia's favorite to win a gold medal in the 400 meters at the 2000 Olympics, held in Sydney. Like any athlete, Freeman wanted to win in order to meet her own goals, but she also knew that she was viewed as a representative of the Aboriginal people, and she wanted to win for them. "I could feel the crowd all over me," she told Mark Shimabukuro in the…
Freeman's win was hailed as an achievement for Australians and Aborigines, and was celebrated by a song, "Cos I'm Free," which became an Australian hit. The words are taken from a tattoo Freeman has on her right shoulder, signifying her pride in her Aboriginal heritage.
Freeman, like many of her country's 360,000 Aborigines, would like the Australian go…
"Cathy Freeman," Contemporary Black Biography, Volume 29, edited by Ashyia Henderson, Gale Group, 2001. "Cathy Freeman," Newsmakers, Issue 3, Gale Group, 2001. "Cathy's Glad to Be Back on Track," Sunday Herald Sun (Melbourne, Australia), (January 5, 2003): 52. Cazeneuve, Brian, "Stress Therapy," Sports Illustrated, (August 12, 2002): R…
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User Comments
over 4 years ago
Heyy Cathy im doing an assignment on you at school this is the second one i have done on you as i think your a great inspiration
about 2 years ago
tori kilgour
hey my name is tori kilgour and i am doing a essay on you and i was wondering if you could send me an artical on your past
thank you so much
almost 2 years ago
hey cathy
yoiu are ahuge inspiration to me and im doing a huge assignment at school um please repply for some interewsting facts
almost 3 years ago
Tara
wow can i just say i would like to follow in your footsteps and that i am so pleased in you and what you have acheved
almost 5 years ago
Cathy you are i of my favourite runners.
i wish i could be like to because i think you show proud in who you are. you are setting a good example to aboriginals. do you remeber when you came to Fitzroy Crossing and went swimming at the old crossing?
almost 2 years ago
Ayaonce
hey mate, im from the outback. the sun is shinning on my face right now, how i love australia. i can see the red rock! im in love cathy come visit us some time soon, sorry i dont have a email, hope this still gets to you! love the number one fan of.................
AUSTRALIA!!
about 5 years ago
hey cathy its sophie here just want to say i am doing a speech on u and it would be good if u could send me an email on your biography please.
Thanks
about 5 years ago
i love you so much.
u inspire me to hell and back,
i would die for U!
(l) your biggest fan
about 5 years ago
u r so awsome
keep following your dream be a runner
u r a very kul person
1 day i hope to be a good runner and be fit like you
GOOD JOB...u go gul!!
about 2 years ago
Izzy
heey cathy,
im Izzy and i am doinf a school project on you and would love to no what tribe you came from :D
almost 2 years ago
Me
hi im doing an assignment on u too!!! ITS SO FUN
over 5 years ago
hello im bridye and u are my hero and i wat to be just like u
over 2 years ago
hi, im kiarna and im doing a report about u can u send me some facts and things about yourself
over 2 years ago
haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay cathys if u can read this im doing a thing on u it is called noteable which u are its for schoool im struggling so yeah plz if u have any info for me plz send it to my email viena_loves_tyler@hotmail.com thanxs heaps
over 2 years ago
hi Cathy I'm Joshua, but i cant tell you my last name, ( privacy issues).
I'm in year 7 and I'm doing a "interview with you." I was wondering if you could tell me why people consider you a Australian hero and your sacrifices you made to be successful. If you do that i could possibly get an A for my assessment. thanks a lot and your the best. from Joshua
almost 5 years ago
CATHY YOU SHOULD BE REALLY PROUD OF YOURSELF!!! because i bet ya the whole Australia is, including me haha.
TAKE CARE!
about 2 years ago
hi girl
about 3 years ago
jade
hi cathy just reading all this good coments about u and just wanted you to know i agree with them all.B+C=P(look at it side ways)
about 3 years ago
Hey Cathy,
My name is Jasmin Reger and im 14, your one of my 3rd cousins, I went to your 30th Birthday party, I was little but i still remember it. You had your hair like a mohawk and you sprayed it pink, and i remember you had this little room with helium Balloons!and i Remember your pool, I think i may have a photo of you and me but my uncle is taking his time to get it developed =) Love Jazzy Xx
about 3 years ago
heyy cathy freeman my dad always says that you are related to me my last name is ahsam and i am just woudering i am 14 and i am doin a big exciment on you can you give me some detail
thanx for your time
cheyenne ah-sam
about 3 years ago
come to boondal stat school pleas cathy freeman love you thanks for helping cottageby the sea.
over 3 years ago
Hi Cath wouldn't it be nice if you could come to our school Kin Kora in Gladstone Central Queensland for our NAIDOC celebration in 2010. Our indigenous students are forever talking about you and say you're simply the best. I am indigenous myself and work as a Teacher Aide. Have been in the school for 22 years. I lived in Mackay for 7 years before coming to Gladstone.I myself and students would be very honoured if you or your manager could have reply to this email.
over 3 years ago
What primary school did you go to and how old were you when you started. P.S. we love you
over 3 years ago
EL8
i am ur #1 fan. my goal is to compete in the olympics and win a gold medal like you i train really hard.
you are awesome
over 3 years ago
cathy freeman rules
hi Cathy freeman
we have a lot in common like your grandfather on your mum side is chinse and so is mine and so more when i grow up my dream is getting a gold madal in the 100 meters
from your 1# FAN
Kellie
almost 4 years ago
hey your a real inspiring to me and i love runnin as much as u would well see ya
almost 4 years ago
heyy cathy, im doing an assingment on you. I was just hoping is you could give me information on you childhood life with you family and friends etc. your an excellent athlete, and so am I. I have just won the state 80m hurdles and hoping to become an athlete myself. you have inspired me heaps and so to others, and hoping for you to reply to me soon with some good information on you childhood life.
thanks allot.
your sincerily, Amanda.
about 4 years ago
hey Cathy,
my name is cj, i am 16 years old and i am doing an assingment on you. i was wondering if there was anyway that you could send me some information about your past? maybe any atricles of when you won the commonwealth games? im sorry but i cant seems to find them anywhere! thanks,
your sincerily
cj
about 4 years ago
cathy your my hero and i want to be just like you you rock
over 4 years ago
HI:)
we love cathy
over 4 years ago
Hi Cathy its Cliantha your number 1 idol. Hi just want ot tell you i am the fastest girl in my primary school. I have been to the states in high jump. Today i am doing a project about you. well i have to go byee!!!!!
over 4 years ago
iwont to no what your major acheievement is
over 4 years ago
hey cathy, wow this is awesome! i am doing a scholl project on you and i have to do a power piont so i was wondering if i could please knwo your favourite colour so i can use that colour as your background
thank you heaps
xoxo
love a big fan of you<3
over 4 years ago
hey Cathy!!!!
i have loads of questions for you because I'm doing a school project on you. the first question-were there any troubles in your early life?, which schools and colleges did you go to?, who is in your family?, what do you think is the most notable achievement?, what makes you so famous? and What are any other information about yourself? if you could answer those questions, it would be a bit more that i know now and it would make my project much better than anyone else's
from your biggest fan
Lozzie!!! :)
over 4 years ago
Hi there Cathy, My name is Jayden Caulfield. I am doing my grade 3 school assignment on You. I picked you, because we have been learning alot about you in class. I think you are a very fast runner. Have a great day.
over 4 years ago
Hey Hey Cathy wat u been up to? ur the best!!! ur such an insperasin!!
over 4 years ago
Hey=]
Yerr ii had to choose and athlete for my physical ed. class and i chose YOU. =]
Your and Australian Idol &nnd Representative=]
over 4 years ago
hi cathy my an me is Tabitha. we are doing a assignment on Australian athletes that have gone to the olympics and i chose you again because you are mi hero and 1 day i am going to go to the olympics like you and win gold, and like you i run the 400m but i also run 800m and so far im doing great and only 1 person stands in mi way from QLD but in Australia there could be alot more in my way but i will keep trainen till i get there. I am aming for the 2012 LONDON OLYMPICS and hopfuly many more after that and i just want to you to know you r mi hero no matter what colour or nationality you are i will always luv you and follow in your footsteps but u might not want to follow in mine because i walk into poles:] wat can you do about it HAHA
anyway i was just wondering if you could give me some information of yourself...please
your biggest fan and Tabitha
almost 5 years ago
Hi Cathy my name is Tayla and i am a friend of your cosion Suzan. She is my uncils girlfriend and i would like to know about you because we are doing a Bigrophy in a famous indignous person to do with the olypics. so id like some infomathion about you please.
from tayla =-)
almost 5 years ago
hey cathy ur my biggest fans im a runner and hopefully i will make it to the olympics one day
i just luv ur running
almost 5 years ago
hey cathy u r my biggest fan man im a runner it one of my favourite hobbies and i hope i will go to the olympics one day ur my hero
luv ur running
almost 5 years ago
hi cathy
for an assignment at school i got to choose my fave aussie althleteand i chose you ive learnt so much about you and i think you rule
almost 5 years ago
I Love u Cathy. U r my hero.
almost 5 years ago
heyy cathy im in class and i need to do a biograhy on you give me your info congrads
love you.xx
almost 5 years ago
hi kathy my name is tegan n i just want 2 say that you r 2 deadly n ol. i m also doin a project at skool n i wanted it 2 b bout u coz u r ma hero and you are a strong person about your culture, n coz i m aboriginal 2nd at is a strong meaning 2 me
almost 5 years ago
hello, were doing a biography on you at school right now.
i have the piture of you holding up both the aboriginal and australian flad after you one the 400 metre sprint on my ipod.
have a nice day person that reads this :D.
almost 5 years ago
i think its gr8 wat u do and u should keep on fighting till the end!!!!!!!!!!! goodluck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
almost 5 years ago
I think u rok at wat u do and u should keep on fighting ur way through till the very end! goodluck Cathy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
almost 5 years ago
u go gal, abo pride all da way!!!!!!!!!!!
almost 5 years ago
heey Cathy i'm doing my hero report on you for my english presentation. you are a true hero in my eyes and thanks for being such a great inspiration to me.
almost 5 years ago
Hey, Cathy im doing a biography on you at school! Everyone thinks its great. Im in grade 6 and sport captain please reply to my email adress so i can get some tips of you. thanks so much
almost 5 years ago
heeeey cathhy your ultra cooll
i love you, i wanna run lik you sum day but i am obbese so i cantt,
oh well at least i have a dream!!
love lotss.
acilegna. :P
almost 5 years ago
Congratulations Cathy on your achievements over your many years of competitive running. I am very proud of you and you inspire me very much. Well done! Wish you all the best in the future
almost 5 years ago
Hey Cahty you r my hero and i think ur totally the best
about 5 years ago
i'm writting a Biography on you for school and you inspire me so much i like to run short running but not long running
about 5 years ago
i think its awsome that i have the same last name as u
about 5 years ago
i am a inspired fan. i would like to know how your life experiences have changed as a result of your culture?
about 5 years ago
hey Cathy
its jess and Tanya we are doing a poster on you and we just want to say you are a true role model
keep up the good work
love tanya and jess
p.s good luck :)
about 5 years ago
hello,
you inspire me soo much you are a true aussie!
about 2 years ago
wabby
this isnt a good website because its not what im looking for!!!!!
over 2 years ago
brittni
hey kathy my name is brittni i have saw u one day at southside bingo i was so happy when i saw u and i know ur aunty and grandma and mum how cools that please write back and give me some imfo about u
over 2 years ago
love you
over 1 year ago
i have to write a biography on u pls inbox me and help me
thanks tiffany