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Becoming a champion: Cathy Freeman reflects on what made her an Olympic gold medallist
A quarter of a century after her legendary run, Cathy Freeman is reflecting on that extraordinary moment and the long road that led her there.
Published
By Michael Rennie
Source: NITV
Image: From her early days as a precocious athlete, Cathy Freeman's rise to greatness relied on those around her as much as her raw talent.
It’s been 25 years since Cathy Freeman raced into history, and the hearts of millions of Australians, with her gold medal 400-metre sprint at the Sydney Olympics.
The journey to that moment of triumph on a global stage began three decades earlier in a Queensland town on the east coast.
The fire is lit
Freeman, a proud Kuku Yalanji woman, was born in Mackay in 1973.
She was raised by her mother Cecilia, who, along with her stepfather Bruce Barber gave Cathy the confidence to forge a successful running career.
It was obvious from her first-ever foot race at the age of five that Cathy had raw talent, an innate ability for running.
From that moment onwards, Cathy wanted to be an Olympic champion
Competing in junior athletics. Even as a child, the fire had already been lit.
"But the seed was planted and somehow, it’s almost like the tracks had been laid out for me.
"I just had to stick to it."
Guiding a champion
Cathy's mother and step father, Bruce and Cecelia Barber.
Danila’s influence helped transform Freeman’s natural speed into world-class performance, pushing her to refine every detail of her running.
“[He] said to me 'Catherine, you’ll be signing autographs one day,'” Freeman recalls.
“I was definitely influenced by those early in my life who encouraged me to dream big and aspire to great things.
“I think I just had a belief in what others were telling me.”
At home, Cathy’s stepfather, Bruce Barber, provided stability and support.
While Danila demanded results on the track, Barber helped Freeman manage the personal pressures of elite sport and the public spotlight.
It was the foundation that allowed her to thrive at the highest level.
“My stepdad inspired me to greatness, which was very unusual for a Murri kid,” Freeman said.
Freeman posing with her grandmother.
“All the way through I’ve had some pretty serious cheerleaders and bossy teachers I call them, pushy people who nudged me along on the trajectory.
“The language was more around choices more than sacrifices.
“I somehow leaned into each day with this sense of belonging to where I was going even though I wasn’t sure."
With her beloved family, the grounding behind Freeman's pursuit of success.
“Being a descendant of such a long line of amazing people and being part of the world’s oldest living culture is something I’m so incredibly proud of,” Freeman said.
“That sense of belonging and connection has always grounded me and given me perspective.”
“No matter what happens, I know I’m going to be OK because I can always retreat into where I come from with my family.”
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