Cathy+Freeman_3

Cathy Freeman Catherine Astrid Salome Freeman is known as the first Aboriginal sprinter to ever represent Australia. She is known for her talent and participation in the 200m, 400m, 4x100m and 4x400m races. She burst into the massive spotlight of the 1996 Commonwealth games. She became an idol to all Australians that year as she won 2 gold medals in the Commonwealth games, and also with that breaking the Australian world record. This gave her career and massive boost. In the 1996 Olympic Games she became the 6th fastest women to ever run 400m in the race that was considered as the greatest 1 lap race of all time. When she won gold in the Sydney Olympics she retained her title of “Queen of the track”.

Cathy Freeman was born at Slade Point, Mackay, Queensland on the 16th of February 1973. Her 3 brothers (Gavin, Garth and Norman who recently died in a motor vehicle accident) were raised in other parts of Queensland. When her mother and father spilt when she was young she was forced to live with her father. It turns out to be important as her father was her very first coach. Her favourite sports except track were AFL while her favourite foods are Pasta, Mexican, Seafood, Japanese and Italian. Her favourite holiday destination is Broome, Western Australia and her favourite track is Monte Carlo .

Catherine announced her retirement to track and field (Athletics) in 15 July 2003 and now wishes to spend most of her time concentrating to make differences towards other lives through her foundation, the ‘Catherine Freeman Foundation’.

She has earned many achievements throughout her career. Her major achievements are Gold in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and Silver in 1996 Atlanta. She got 2 Gold medals and 1 bronze in the world championships, and 4 Gold and 1 Silver medal in the Commonwealth games. She has also earned Australian of the Year in 1998. She was also named Sportswoman of the Year in 2001, the Arthur Ashe Courage Award also in 2001. She also earned the Order of Australia Medal and the Female Sportsperson of the Year in 2003.

Bibliography Websites: (Info) [] [|http:// __http://www.girl.com.au/cathyfreeman.htm__] [|www.cathyfreeman.com.au/biography/] []