Carried the Australian flag at the 2000 Sydney Olympics opening ceremony — then won 400m gold.
Catherine Astrid Salome Freeman was born in Mackay, Queensland in 1973 of Aboriginal and South Sea Islander heritage. She was chosen to carry the Australian flag at the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. She then went on to win the 400m gold medal — carrying both the Australian and Aboriginal flags on her victory lap — in the most emotionally charged individual performance in Australian Olympic history. She was the first Aboriginal person to be chosen to carry the Australian flag. She won the World Championship 400m in 1997 and 1999. She retired in 2003. She founded the Cathy Freeman Foundation supporting education for indigenous children.
Olympic 400m gold at Sydney 2000 as Aboriginal Australian
How They Played
Powerful stride, exceptional speed endurance, tactical racing
Lasting Impact
Symbol of reconciliation and inspiration for Indigenous Australians
Olympic Gold 400m 2000
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold 400m 2000
- World Champion 400m 1997,1999
- Commonwealth Games 2x