Cathy Freeman Biography
Early Life
Cathy Freeman was born Catherine Astrid Salome Freeman on February 16, 1973, in Mackay, Queensland, Australia. Born to Norman Freeman, a native Australian of the Kuku Yalanji people, and Cecelia, of Irish descent, Cathy has 3 older brother or sisters, 2 sisters and a sibling. Growing up in a working-class family, Freeman faced substantial difficulties, consisting of racial discrimination and also monetary struggle. However, her family background gave her with the basing for durability, a strong job values, and also healthy and balanced self-esteem.
Increasing Star in Athletics
Freeman found her love for athletics at an extremely young age. With the encouragement of her family members as well as her coach Mike Danila, she began to master the sport. At simply 10 years old, she became Queensland's state champ, winning a gold medal in the 100 meters race. As a teen, Freeman pursued her interest for athletics, winning more gold medals and also breaking numerous records.
In 1990, at the age of 16, Cathy Freeman was awarded a scholarship to Fairholme College in Toowoomba, where she continued her sports pursuits. She quickly made a name for herself on the planet of dashing after winning the 1990 Australian Senior Championships.
International Success
Freeman's worldwide career removed when she tipped onto the global stage in the very early 1990s. At the 1990 Commonwealth Games held in Auckland, New Zealand, she won gold for Australia in the 4 x 100 meters relay. She was just 16 at the time, making her the first Indigenous Australian to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games since 1962.
Two years later, at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Freeman came to be the initial Indigenous Australian lady to complete in the Olympics. Although she really did not win a medal, she made a strong impact as well as remained to train vigilantly.
The 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada, marked Freeman's breakthrough as a solo athlete. She won gold medals in both the 200 meters and also 400 meters events, establishing new Commonwealth documents at the same time.
Freeman's crowning achievement came with the 2000 Sydney Olympics when she won the gold medal in the 400 meters occasion, ending up being the very first Aboriginal individual to win an individual Olympic gold medal. Her victory transformed her into a sign of unity for Australians as well as an inspiration for Indigenous Australians and also professional athletes worldwide.
Personal Life
Cathy Freeman wed Alexander "Sandy" Bodecker, a Nike exec, in 1999, but the pair divorced in 2003. She later on wed James Murch, an Australian star and also stockbroker, in 2009. The couple has one little girl, Ruby, birthed in 2011.
Following her retired life from affordable athletics in 2003, Freeman established the Cathy Freeman Foundation in 2007. The structure aims to enhance the instructional results for Indigenous Australian children and aid connect the gap between Indigenous as well as non-Indigenous Australians. Freeman also serves as an ambassador for numerous organizations, consisting of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation and the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence.
Tradition
Cathy Freeman is unquestionably one of Australia's best athletes and also a motivation to countless individuals around the world. Her amazing achievements in athletics, incorporated with her efforts to shut Australia's Indigenous education gap as well as advertise racial equal rights, have actually made her a national icon as well as a treasured member of Australia's sporting activities community.
Our collection contains 30 quotes who is written / told by Cathy.
Related authors: Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)
