“YOU GOT TO TRY AND REACH FOR THE STARS OR TRY AND ACHIEVE THE UNREACHABLE.”

 

Cathy Freeman is one of Australia’s greatest ever athletes.
Freeman made a name for herself when she became the first Australian Indigenous person to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games at age 16.

In September 2000 she lit the Olympic flame in the spectacular opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games. Dressed in a white fireproof bodysuit, Freeman carried the torch into water while flames rose up around her.

Ten days later, in a packed home stadium and wearing a legendary hooded bodysuit she collected the ultimate prize. The gold medal in the women’s 400 metres race.

In a spectacular 49.11 seconds, she forever cemented her place in sporting history. She wore both the Aboriginal and the Australian flags around her shoulders afterwards, inspiring everyone watching.