Cathy Freeman reveals how she’ll vote in Voice to Parliament referendum – and Olympic legend urges all Australians to do the same
Cathy Freeman has pledged her support for the ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.
The Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medalist said in a video for the Yes23 campaign that the historic referendum is an opportunity “to be part of a moment that brings people together.”
She also urged Australians to “stand by my side” when the country goes to the polls on October 14.
“I can’t remember a time when change felt so urgent, where the momentum was so strong. From small villages to big cities, there is something in the air. I know all Australians feel this too,” she says in the video.
“We have the opportunity to be part of a moment that brings people together, to work hard for something we can all believe in.
“And right now, each of us can be part of something that really matters.”
Freeman is recognized as an icon of Indigenous sporting achievement after capturing the hearts of the nation – and the world – during her glittering athletics career.
After the nation cheered her to the gold medal in Sydney, Freeman draped herself in the Aboriginal flag as she took a victory lap in front of an adoring sell-out stadium.
She was also chosen as the final torchbearer to light the cauldron at the start during the opening ceremony of the Games.
Last week she became the first woman in NSW to have the grandstand named after her, with the state government’s announcement at Accor Stadium, where she won gold in the Olympic 400m final 23 years ago.
It followed a public nomination process where people were asked to nominate a female sporting hero whose name could be placed on the stand.
It is Freeman’s second award this year, after she was also shortlisted for the Wilderness Society Karajia Award for her children’s book The Heartbeat of the Land.
A stand at Accor Stadium will be renamed the Cathy Freeman Stand
It is Freeman’s second award this year, after she was also shortlisted for the Wilderness Society Karajia Award for her children’s book The Heartbeat of the Land.
Who is Cathy Freeman?
Born on February 16, 1973 in Mackay, Queensland, Australia, Freeman is a former sprinter who specialized in 400 meters.
Growing up, she was successful in school athletic events. In 1987, she was coached to several regional and national titles by her stepfather, Bruce Barber.
She started her career at the age of 16, when she won gold as part of the 4x100m relay team at the Commonwealth Games in Auckland.
The win in Auckland made her one of the youngest competitors in the competition and the first Indigenous Australian to win gold.
Freeman went on to win three more gold medals at the subsequent Commonwealth Games, as well as a silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
The 50-year-old came first at the 1997 World Championships in the 400 meters and again in 1999.
The biggest moment of her career came at the 2000 Olympic Games in Australia, where she won gold in the 400 meters final in 49.11 seconds, becoming only the second Australian Aboriginal Olympic champion.
Freeman also had the honor of lighting the Olympic torch at the Sydney games.
The biggest moment of her career came at the 2000 Olympic Games in Australia, where she won gold in the 400 meters final in 49.11 seconds
The former Olympic star retired in 2003 when she realized she could never top her performance at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
After an incredible performance at the 2000 Olympic Games, she finally ended her sports career in 2003.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald in 2003, Cathy said her decision to quit sprinting came when she realized she would never beat her performance at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
“I’ll never have the same satisfying moment I’ve had,” she explained.
‘I don’t have the same hunger. I know what it takes to become a champion, to be the best in the world, but I don’t have that feeling now.’
Freeman then founded the Cathy Freeman Foundation, an organization that supports indigenous students.
She was also an ambassador for the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation until 2012.
In 2014, Cathy resigned from her position as ambassador for Cottage by the Sea, a children’s holiday camp in Victoria.
She had a long-term relationship with her track and field partner Nic Bideau, who helped coach her to gold at the 2000 Olympics after their relationship ended.
Cathy was married to her first husband, Alexander “Sandy” Bodecker, from 1999 to 2003.
She dated actor Joel Edgerton before they split in 2005, and married her second husband, James Murch, in 2009.
They welcomed a daughter, Ruby, in 2011.
Why is she on crutches?
In July, Freeman made a surprise visit to the Matildas camp ahead of the Women’s World Cup and appeared to be struggling with a painful leg injury.
Players went to what they thought was a tactics meeting with coach Tony Gustavsson – but were stunned when Freeman limped into the room with the help of a pair of crutches.
Afterwards, Freeman was depicted sitting with her left leg raised.
Freeman suffered an unfortunate accident at home earlier this year in which she tore her Achilles tendon.
Freeman had to use crutches to get around during the team meeting and was pictured sitting with her left leg raised
What did she say on the stand?
Freeman said she was “deeply honored and humbled” to be permanently recognized at a stadium that held a special place in her heart.
“I hope my story continues to inspire generations of girls and boys to pursue their own dreams in sports and life,” she said.
Premier Chris Minns said it was time a NSW grandstand was named after a woman and he couldn’t think of a better candidate than the indigenous sports star.
“Everyone remembers where they were when Cathy Freeman produced her historic 400m race to win gold for Australia at the Sydney Olympics,” he said.
“I want the next generation of young girls to watch sport in this stadium, looking up at the Cathy Freeman Stand, thinking about their own sporting dreams.”