- Won the gold medal in the 400 meters at the Sydney Olympics
- Relived that magical run on a hit television show
- She said she only had one regret about that race
Cathy Freeman has made a rare television appearance as she commented on her own 400m final at the Sydney Olympics and revealed her one major regret from her gold medal-winning run.
In the run-up to the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Freeman’s 400m final took on enormous significance for Australia.
As one of the country’s most celebrated athletes, she lived up to the expectations of a country longing for success on home soil.
When Freeman, 51, took gold in a breathtaking run, the entire country erupted with joy and pride. Her victory was not just a personal achievement; it was a powerful symbol of unity, reconciliation and diversity.
Freeman crosses the line to win gold in the women’s 400 meters final at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
Freeman, 51, cheers along with the live studio audience as she rewatches the race at The Front Bar
Since then, Freeman has been notoriously media shy.
However, this week she thrilled a new audience when she appeared on Channel 7’s show The Front Bar, where she commented on her amazing race in front of a live audience.
She also revealed that her only major regret was not breaking the world record at the time, and believed she would have done so had French champion Marie-Jose Perec not withdrawn too late.
“So I feel calm here, I feel strong, in 30 meters I have to come as fast as possible,” Freeman said as the vision of the race played out.
‘Although it’s not the same as being in a race with (Marie-Jose) Perec.
‘And as soon as I get back on the straight, the only way to describe it is top gear on an exercise bike, your legs are spinning around and there’s no real effort, there’s no real effort.
“So coasting, coasting, I feel the other competitors and it feels good, it feels good.”
Although Freeman claimed gold, she still regrets not breaking the world record in Sydney
Freeman believes French star Marie-Jose Perec’s withdrawal affected her famous run
Freeman said she started scanning the field in the second half of the race, looking for someone to take the fight to her, but that never came.
“And then at this point, 200 meters to go, I start working with my upper body, pumping the fists, working harder, digging into the ground, waiting for someone to take it, throw it down,” said Freeman.
“Right now I know no one really wants to win, and I’m just going to go out and feel supported by everyone.”
The crowd erupted in applause as Freeman crossed the finish line on screen, with today’s Freeman celebrating loudly with them.
‘(Initially I thought) so this is what it feels like to be an Olympic champion, I was in the air, then I looked at the clock and I thought ‘oh, I didn’t get under 49’, and then it was so like ‘oh woah’ everyone (is going crazy), it was just pandemonium,” Freeman said.
“It’s like an itch that’s always going to be there, retired athletes get like that,” she said.
“And when you see modern athletes competing, you wish you were competing now because the standard is so high.
“I was one of those athletes who competed with people, I got to feel people and that kind of human experience, unlike other athletes who can compete against the clock. It is what it is, I still got what I wanted to achieve.”