Cathy Freeman, An Amazing Woman Who Changed History

Women's History Month: Cathy Freeman

Cathy Freeman is an Australian athlete best known for being the first Aboriginal person to win an individual gold medal in the Olympics. Let’s learn a little more about this amazing woman.

A Fast and Early Start

Cathy Freeman was born on February 16, 1973, in Mackay, Queensland, Australia. Her father was a member of the Burri Grubba people of central Queensland.

She fell in love with running at an early age. She was a strong athlete and competed in her first race when she was eight. For the first few years, her stepfather coached her.

In 1990, when Cathy was just 17, she won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games as a member of the relay team. She was named Young Australian of the Year.

The Commonwealth Games are a popular sports competition held every four years. Participants must be amateurs from Commonwealth countries, including Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland, and the Whales.

A Budding Olympian

In 1992, Cathy would become the first Aboriginal athlete to compete in the Olympic Games in Barcelona.

Freeman won three medals at the next Commonwealth Games in 1994, including two gold medals in the 200m and 400m races. These races became her strongest events for years to come.

Cathy continued to train hard, and in 1996, she became the first Australian woman to run the 400m in less than 50 seconds. That is fast!

That same year, she won a silver medal in the Olympic Games in Atlanta, just barely losing in the 400m event.

A Dream Realized

Then came the 2000 Olympic Games held in her home country in Sydney, Australia. Freeman lit the Olympic Torch during the opening ceremony.

Freeman would win her first Olympic gold medal during those Olympic games. After winning the 400m event, she ran around the track carrying the Australian and Aboriginal National flags.

Next Steps

In 2003, Cathy announced her retirement from competition.

Two years later, in 2005, Freeman was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Cathy still had strong ties to her Aboriginal heritage, and in 2007, she established a foundation to help Aboriginal children. Her foundation focused on providing children with equal educational opportunities.

Cathy Freeman will always be remembered for her speed on the track and as the first Aboriginal person to win an individual gold medal in the Olympic Games. In 2011, she was named a “Legend of Australian Sport.”