Freeman, Cathy (1973– )

Australian athlete. At the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 she represented Australia and her Aboriginal heritage by lighting the Olympic flame in the opening ceremony, and went on to win gold in the 400 metres. Earlier in her career, she won gold medals at the 1997 and 1999 World Championships, and at the 1990, 1994, and 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Career highlights

Olympic Games gold 400 metres 2000; silver 400 metres 1996

World Championships gold 400 metres 1997, 1999; bronze 4 × 400-metre relay 1995

Commonwealth Games gold 4 × 100-metre relay 1990; gold 200 metres 1994; gold 400 metres 1994; gold 4 × 400-metre relay 2002

For her cultural and athletic accomplishments, she was named the 1998 Australian of the Year, one of the country's highest civilian honours.

At the 1994 Commonwealth Games, Freeman took her victory lap wrapped in the Aboriginal flag before taking a second lap with the Australian flag. She repeated this again following her 400-metre victory at the 1997 World Championships.