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On July 15th
2003, Cathy Freeman announced her retirement from athletics. After
months of speculation and rumour, Cathy's announcement was not
entirely unexpected. Since her return to full time training
following a fifteen month layoff after her Sydney triumph, Freeman struggled
to overcome injuries and recapture the hunger and desire to compete
again on the world stage.
The following
are excerpts from either Cathy's announcement or from comments she
made to the media in the days following her retirement.
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"It is a relief,"
Freeman said. "My heart's not in it. I feel sad because it is hard
letting go of something so special and so dear. It hasn't been easy
to get to the point I'm at now. It is definitely something I have
felt for a while. I don't think I am ever going to experience again
the wonderful highs that I have already experienced in my career. So
I don't think I need to go on."
"Slowly but surely I have come to realize that I could not go
through it all again."
"My
goal from when I was a little girl was always to win an Olympic gold
medal and to have done so in Australia and also have the honour of
lighting the cauldron was more than I could have ever hoped for."
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"I
have been honoured to have represented my country and receive so
much support over the years from people the world over and for that
I will be eternally grateful. I also want to take this opportunity
to thank my family, friends, coach, advisors and sponsors for their
support over the years. They have been amazing."
"I can't find the words that mean
enough in terms of how grateful I am for the way that good folks
have let me into their minds and hearts and into their memories."
Sports Card
World recognizes Cathy Freeman as an Australian icon. An athlete who
rose from humble beginnings to succeed at the highest level in her
chosen sport. We proudly present this tribute to a unique and
special Australian.
Cathy Freeman was born Catherine Astrid Salome Freeman on February
16th 1973 in Mackay, Queensland. In addition to Cathy, her parents,
Norman and Cecilia had four other children, Gavin (1961), Anne-Marie
(1966), Norman (1974) and Garth (1976).
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Cathy's parents struggled to maintain a stable relationship.
Although the family was close, Norman
spent long periods away from home playing football all over Queensland.
His struggle with alcoholism eventually began to take a toll on his health
and his marriage to Cecilia was under considerable strain.
Norman finally left in
1978, and a year later Bruce Barber came to stay with the family as
a lodger. At first he was not accepted by the children, and later,
when he announced that he wanted to marry Cecilia, the children were
particularly upset and angry. At that time, they were unaware of the
part that Bruce would play in shaping Cathy's future athletic
career. |
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From a very
early age, Cathy Freeman dreamt of one day winning a gold medal at
the Olympics. However, her first
race was a just little less glamorous. It was an 80 metre sprint for eight year olds at St Joseph's
School. And she almost missed out on starting that race. Shortly
before the start, she was poked in the eye by a piece of wire. Even
though she was in some discomfort, Cathy ran in the race and
recorded an easy victory for her school House.
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From a very
early age, Cathy Freeman dreamt that one day she would win a
gold medal at the Olympic Games. That dream came true on
September 25th 2000. In her own country, and in front of
112000 adoring fans, Cathy fulfilled her destiny. |
Throughout her
childhood, Cathy exhibited tremendous natural athletic ability. So
too did her siblings, particularly her younger brother, Norman who
was also an exceptional runner.
Bruce Barber
watched Cathy run and commented frequently
that the symmetry of her movement reminded him of a champion
racehorse. He had little idea of coaching methods, so he wrote away
to state school sporting officials requesting assistance to
establish a training programme. He and Cecilia sacrificed a great
deal for the children. They battled tirelessly in fund-raising
ventures so that Cathy and Norman could compete in athletic
carnivals all over the state and country.
By the time Cathy
was eleven, local newspapers in northern Queensland were describing
her as the 'wonder girl' from Mackay. A little later, she was
fortunate to be coached by Romanian, Mike Danila who claimed that he
had never seen so much talent in a young athlete. Cathy's
association with Danila provided a disciplined programme that
prepared her well for the path ahead.
In 1988, Cathy was
awarded a scholarship to exclusive Fairholme College in Toowoomba.
She was only one of three aboriginal children in a school population
of over six hundred. Later that year, she and brother Norman were
chosen for an International Athletics Exchange tour of the United
States. It was a wonderful experience for Cathy who became aware of
the many rewards that a successful athletic career could bring. By
1999, she was beginning to record impressive times, including a time
of 11.67 seconds for 100 metres. A time that began to lift a few
eyebrows. Danila considered entering her in the Commonwealth Games
Trials in Sydney.
Cathy eventually
was selected in Australia's 4x100 metre relay team for the 1990
Commonwealth Games in Auckland. Although Cathy struggled in training
and dropped the baton repeatedly, she managed to hold her place on
the team. On February 3rd, at the tender age of sixteen, Cathy
Freeman won her first gold medal at a major meet. Australia's 4x100
metre relay team won the gold medal from England.
Shortly after
returning home from her triumphant victory, Cathy was confronted
with the tragic news that her sister, Anne-Marie had died. It was
shattering news. When Cathy returned to school and resumed athletic
training, she was determined to dedicate her future efforts to
Anne-Marie.
During her short
career, a Melbourne journalist, Nick Bideau, had become very
interested in Cathy. After some personal encounters and a number of
articles about the budding young athlete, he suggested a move to
Melbourne where better training facilities and tougher competition
would advance Cathy's career.
Shortly after
moving to Melbourne, Bideau introduced Cathy to athletics coach,
Peter Fortune who would become Freeman's coach for the rest of her
career. Team Freeman; Bideau, Fortune and Freeman had been formed.
And the Barcelona Olympics presented the next big challenge.
Although
Freeman's performance at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics was
disappointing, the experience gained was invaluable. Freeman easily
made it through to the second round, but she ran poorly and failed
to make the semi-finals.
The post
Barcelona period took Freeman on an emotional roller-coaster. There
was more personal tragedy for Freeman. News reached her in London
that her father had died of a stroke. Freeman did not cope well with
the news. To make matters worse, Freeman was unable to secure a
flight home in time for the funeral.
On the athletics
front, Cathy's rivalry with sprinter, Melinda Gainsford had caught
the imagination of the Australian press. Although Team Freeman's
goal was to prepare for a double assault on the 200m, 400m double at
the up-coming Commonwealth Games, the rivalry with Gainsford was a
distraction for Freeman. But the public and media loved it. And it
certainly raised Freeman's public profile.
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Freeman
trademark
Victoria, Canada 1994 |
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The 1994
Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada were an outstanding success
for Freeman. With the exception of the 4x400m relay in which the
Australian team was disqualified, Freeman won gold medals in both
the 200m and 400m. And there was controversy! After her victories,
Freeman carried both the aboriginal and Australian flags on her
victory laps. The reaction from some media and team officials,
including controversial Arthur Tunstall was extremely critical. But
it was to become a Freeman trademark. One that would be repeated
many times during her brilliant career.
Freeman's
exploits in Victoria certainly announced her arrival on the world
400m stage. Her times were beginning to raise eyebrows all over the
world, and her performances in the year following the Commonwealth Games were
sensational.
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1995 brought
mixed fortunes for Cathy. Although her public profile was very high
during the Australian season, her form was inconsistent. The major
meet leading up to the '96 Atlanta Olympics was the 1995 World
Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. Cathy promised much, but she
failed to produce in the final. Her fourth position, just outside
the medals was a shattering result. Once again, however, she would
learn from the experience, particularly in her ability to pace
herself during a 400 metre run.
In the lead up
to Atlanta, Cathy's fitness and training were almost perfect. She had
also learnt a great deal about the art of running 400 metres. Team
Freeman had developed her strategy to run
the first 200m at a fast pace, attack the third hundred and then
finish on strongly over the final 100 metres. These tactics proved
very successful. She was ready for her assault on France's
Marie-Jose Perec and a shot at gold in Atlanta.
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The final of the
400 metres at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games Marie-Jose Perec
(France) wins from Cathy Freeman |
At the 1996
Atlanta Olympics, Cathy made it
through the heats and semi-finals quite comfortably. The runners in
the final represented a who's who of 400 metre runners;
Breuer in 1, Davis in 2, Perec in 3, Freeman in 4, Ogunkoya in 5,
Yusuf in 6, Richards in 7 and Miles in 8. Cathy ran a sensational
race. It was only in the final stretch that Perec stamped her
authority on the race, winning by three metres in a time of 48.25
secs.
Cathy won the silver medal in a personal best time of 48.63 secs. A
little over a month later, Freeman was to defeat Perec in a 400m
race at Brussels on the European circuit.
Between the Atlanta
and Sydney Olympics, Freeman was to dominate 400m events around the
world. Although she faced a few personal problems, including a
break-up in her personal relationship with Nick Bideau, Cathy was to
take out consecutive World Championships. The first in 1997 in
Greece and the second at Seville in Spain in 1999.
Before the 1997
World Championships, Cathy was to begin a relationship with future
husband and Nike
executive,
Alexander "Sandy" Bodecker. In 1998, she was honoured to receive the
Australian of the Year Award, becoming the first person to win the
award after being named Young Australian of the Year in 1991.
There was only one
thing missing! And Sydney 2000 was to change all of that!
For Cathy Freeman
there were two golden moments in Sydney.
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The first took
place on September 15th at Stadium Australia. At the Opening
Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, one of the best kept secrets
in Australian sport was revealed. Who would be given the great
honour of lighting the flame? For months, speculation had been rife.
Would it be Dawn Fraser or Betty Cuthbert, Shane Gould or Kieran
Perkins? Or would it be any one of a host of worthy Australian
sporting heroes?
As torch bearer
Herb Elliott approached the stadium, the sequence that followed was
to enthrall the capacity crowd and provide unforgettable
images to billions of television viewers all over the world. The
torch was passed from Betty Cuthbert and Raelene Boyle to Dawn
Fraser to Shirley Srickland-de la Hunty, Shane Gould, Debbie
Flintoff-King and finally ......... to Cathy Freeman! For the first
time in Olympic history a current competitor would light the
cauldron in a dramatic demonstration of national unity.
Although it was
a tremendous honour for Cathy to light the flame, it inevitably
increased the pressure on her performance in the 400 metres. She
would be
burdened with the expectations of an entire
nation!
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Seconds after
lighting the flame, Cathy Freeman steps into the centre of a
circle of flame. Moments later the cauldron rises above her
head and is elevated to the top of Stadium Australia where it
will burn brightly for the duration of the games. |
The second
golden moment came on September 25th........the final of the 400
metres. As she entered the stadium, Cathy appeared calm and
composed. She went through her pre-race routine. Cathy maintained
her focus and kept her emotions in check. When the gun sounded,
she uncoiled and the roar was deafening. During the next 49.11
seconds, Cathy never looked in danger of defeat. Not for a moment!
She paced herself perfectly throughout the race. Freeman led into
the straight and powered to the finishing line without a challenge.
A childhood dream had been realized!
Soon after
crossing the finishing line, Freeman sat down on the track in a
flurry of emotions. Joy, relief and shock swept through her body and
etched a look of disbelief on her face. When she regained her
composure, a wave of euphoria swept her up and carried her on an
unforgettable victory lap. Both the aboriginal and Australian flags
appeared from nowhere and accompanied her on the journey.
And a proud
nation responded in grateful and thunderous applause!
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"It is a mixture of sadness and relief for everyone. It
is the end of a significant era in Australian athletics.
She has been a dominant force on the track for this
country for a long time and has been a groundbreaker in
so many ways."
Peter
Fortune (Cathy Freeman's coach) |
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"Her victory in the 400 metres at the Sydney Olympics
was one of the great sporting events of our generation.
I think she's been a wonderful Australian, is a
wonderful Australian. I don't think there could be any
greater accolade for anybody."
John
Howard, Prime Minister of Australia |
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"We acknowledge the great contribution that she's made
to her sport, the Olympic movement in this country and,
of course, the success of the Sydney Olympic Games. She
is truly a great Olympic champion and has always been a
wonderful role model."
John Coates, Australian Olympic
Committee President |
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"She
has done what no other Australian has done which is take
everything on her shoulders and deliver. Others have won
Wimbledon or Olympic gold medals but they didn't have to
take on the expectation of the whole nation."
Keith
Connor (Athletics Australia's head coach) |
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"Cathy became a potent symbol of the struggle for
reconciliation between black and white Australians. I
think that she is a person committed to reconciliation in
this country and using her sport and her presence to
advance that cause."
Simon Crean,
Federal Opposition Leader
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"Cathy deserves to be remembered as one of the country's
finest athletes. You would compare her with the greats of
athletics like the Betty Cuthberts, the Marjorie Jacksons
and the Shirley Stricklands."
Dawn
Fraser, Australian swimming legend |
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"Cathy Freeman is an outstanding Australian sportswoman.
Who can forget the joy she brought to all Australians
during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She will long be
remembered not only for her wonderful victories but for
her tenacity and generosity of spirit."
Marjorie
Jackson-Nelson
Former Olympic champion and Governor of South Australia |
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"She is a great Australian who brought great credit to her
country. I know people will think: 'Oh, he is just saying
it.' But anybody that can bring credit to their country,
whether they are Chinese, Aboriginal or whatever they are,
are great Australians."
Arthur Tunstall (Out-spoken sports administrator) |
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"She's been a fantastic athlete for Australia and for
herself."
Ricky Ponting
(Australian cricketer) |
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"I just hope Cathy is happy with
her decision. It is a sad day for track and field in
Australia and also the world and for a very proud
Australian public. But they just see the individual
getting out and racing every now and then. They don't see
the hours and hours and hours of hard work that go into
the performance on the track."
Raelene Boyle (Former Australian
sprint champion) |
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"I had a long chat with her a
year after she took gold in Sydney and she just was not
the same person. You cannot be after you go through what
she went through. Most people are able to adapt their
lives to becoming a world-class athlete, but becoming a
national icon is another matter."
Steve Cram (Former British
great)
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"One of
our greatest heroes has just decided she's had enough.
It's special rather than sad and that's the way people
should look at it. She could have given up after the
Olympics but, no, she hung around and helped us."
Jana Pittman ( Heir
apparent) |
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Country: Australia
Height: 164 cm |
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Date of Birth: 16/02/1973
Weight: 53 kg |
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Place of Birth: Mackay,
Queensland |
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Current State: Victoria |
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Event(s): 400 metres
Coach: Peter Fortune |
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Clubs: Melbourne Track Club,
Ringwood |
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Personal best: 48.63 (Atlanta,
1996) |
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Career Achievements: |
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1990: Gold medal in the 4x100m relay at the
Auckland Commonwealth
Games. |
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1990: Named Young Australian of the Year.
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1991: Named Aboriginal Athlete of the Year. |
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1992: Becomes first Australian Aboriginal
track athlete to compete
at Olympics. |
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1994: Gold in the 200m and 400m at the Commonwealth Games in
Victoria. |
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1994: Silver medal
in 4x100m relay at Commonwealth Games in Victoria. |
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1995: Finishes
third in 4x400m relay at World Championships in Gothenburg. |
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1996: Silver medal in 400m at the Atlanta Olympic Games. |
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1996-1998: Won 22
consecutive 400m finals. |
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1997: Gold medal
at World Championships in Athens. |
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1998: Named
Australian of the Year. |
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1999: Won the 400m national title in Melbourne.
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1999: Gold medal
at World Championships in Seville. |
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2000: Freeman becomes the first still-competing athlete to be
given the honour of lighting the cauldron at an Olympic Games. |
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2000: Gold medal in 400m at the
Sydney Olympic Games. |
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2000: Received the
Laureus Female Athlete of the Year Award |
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2002: Gold medal
in 4x400m relay at Manchester Commonwealth Games. |
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2003: Suffers
first defeat in 400m since 1998. Beaten by Jana Pittman. |
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2003: July 15:
Retires from athletics |
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Australian Championships |
100 metres '90 -
2nd, '94 - 1st, '96 - 1st
100 yards '93 - 1st
200 metres '90 - 1st, '91 - 1st, '92 - 2nd, '93 - 2nd, '94 -
1st, '95 - 2nd, '96 - 1st, '97 - 2nd, '00 - 1st
400 metres '92 - 3rd, '95 - 1st, '97 - 1st, '98 - 1st, '99 -
1st, '00 - 1st, '02 - inj, '03 - 1st |
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International
Championships |
Commonwealth
Games: '90 - 4x100m 1st; '94 - 200m 1st, 400m 1st, 4x100m 2nd,
4x400m disq, '98 injured, '02 - 4x400m - 1st
IAAF Grand Prix Final: '94 - 400m - 2nd; '96 - 400m - 1st
Olympic Games: '92 - 400m - QF, 4x400m - 7th, '96 - 200m -
semi, 400m - 2nd; '00 - 400m - 1st, 200m - 7th, 4x400m 5th
World Championships: '91 - 4x100m DNC, '93 - 200m - semi, '95
- 400m - 4th, 4x400m - 3rd, 200m - semi, '97 - 1st, 4x100m
heat, '99 - 400m -1st, 4x400m - 6th
World Cup: '94 - 200m - 3rd, 4x100m - 3rd, 4x400m - 6th
World Junior Championships: '90 - 200m - 5th, 100m - semi,
4x100m - 5th, '92 - 200m - 2nd, 4x400m 6th
World Indoor Championships: '93 - 60m heat, 200m heat disq;
'99 - 400m DNC, 4x400m 2nd |
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Records |
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Australian and Commonwealth Record -
400m - 48.63 (29/7/96)
Australian Record - 4x400m - 3:23.81 (30/9/00)
Australian U20 Record - 400m - 51.14 (28/6/92)
Australian U20 Record - 200m - 22.62 (23/1/93)
Freeman has set
nine open Australian records:
200m (2) 22.32 22/7/94, 22.25 26/8/94;
400m (6) 50.18 2/8/94, 50.04 3/9/94, 49.85 29/2/96, 49.81
5/7/96, 49.59 12/7/96, 48.63 29/7/96;
4x400m (1) 3:23.81 30/9/00.
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400m Finals:
Winning Streaks |
1996-1998 - 21 races,
1999-2003 25 races.
Overall
46 wins from 47 races stretching from 23/8/96 - 8/3/03). This
sequence was broken when she was beaten at the 1998 Oslo Grand
Prix, when suffering from a foot injury. |
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If you ask an
Australian to name their most memorable sporting moment, you would
probably get a variety of different answers. Great moments in
cricket, football (four different codes), horseracing, yachting,
athletics and swimming would all rate a mention. And there would be
many, many more! However, one thing is for certain: Cathy Freeman
winning a gold medal in the 400 metres at the Sydney Olympics would
be right up there!
There is no
doubt that Cathy Freeman should leave athletics with absolutely no
regrets. What Cathy has been able to achieve in her career is quite
remarkable given her humble beginnings.
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However, most
Australian will remember Cathy Freeman for the way she went about
achieving her goals rather than the actual triumphs.
Australians will
remember her as charming, humble, engaging, infectious, determined,
courageous, free-spirited and funny. A very talented athlete who
battled the odds
and reached the highest pinnacle in her chosen sport.
Cathy has been
all those things, and more. She has been an inspiration to all
Australians, from all walks of life. She will remain a role model
for all those who have a dream and dare to
exercise their natural right to make the most
of their abilities.
Sports
Card World congratulates Cathy Freeman on her achievements and
wishes her every happiness in her future life.
Thanks,
Cathy. You are a true champion!
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Queen Elizabeth
meets Cathy Freeman during the Manchester Commonwealth Games
in 2002. |
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Catherine
Astrid Salome Freeman was born on February 16th 1973.
