Vc acCathy Freeman - A great AustralianCatherine Astrid Salome Freeman was born 16th of February in Mackay Queensland; her parents were Norman Fisher and Geraldine Roy. She and her brothers Gavin, Garth and Norman (who died after a motor vehicle accident on 16 September 2008) were raised there and in other parts of Queensland. She also had a sister named Anne-Marie (1966-1990) who suffered from cerebral palsy and spent much of her life in a home for the disabled.Cathy attended several schools, but was mostly educated at Fairholme College, in Toowoomba. Her parents divorced in 1978 and her mother married Claude Freeman when Cathy was nine.Cathy has described how she has been influenced by ...view middle of the document...
In 1994 at the Canadian commonwealth games she won gold in the 200 m and the 400m.In 1996 at the Olympic games in Atlanta USA, she won a silver medal and personal best of 48.63 seconds.1997 she won the world athletic championship in Athens (400m).In 1998 she was awarded the Australian of the year.In 1999 she again won the world athletic championship.In 2000 Cathy was also invited to light the flame, the first actual competing athlete to do so at the opening ceremony. She then went on to win the gold medal in the 400m, her dream.On the 15th of July 2003 Cathy announced her retirement from competitive running. She now concentrates on making a difference to others through the Cathy Freeman Foundation.While Cathy was growing up racism was profound toward the Aborigines.As she grew older more elders within the community were establishing themselves politically and demanding fair rights for their people.When Cathy become well known in the athletic field most common Australian grew to love her and learnt to appreciate the Aborigine heritage she has. This was demonstrated when she won the 2000 gold and ran around with both the Australian flag and the Aborigine flag draped over her.The world during the 90's was becoming more educated and tolerant. We also saw tragedy, Princess Dianna and Mother Teresa died. America saw their worst ever terrorist bombing in Oklahoma. The Soviet Union was dissolved and became 15 separate...