Australian icon talks about embracing the strain and unwittingly turning into the image for one thing far greater than sport.
September 25, 2000. “Magic Monday”. Legendary may really be a greater phrase for it. Actually, there was one thing otherworldly about what was occurring on the monitor for 49.11 seconds of that night, with Stadium Australia bursting on the seams. The capability crowd of 112,524 have been entranced, whereas the girl they have been all watching discovered herself coming into one other dimension.
The video proof proves in any other case however, even 25 years on, Cathy Freeman maintains that she didn’t really feel her ft contact the bottom for the closing 80m of the Olympic ladies’s 400m remaining in Sydney.
“I used to be being carried,” she says. “It simply sounds so odd, would not it?”
Odd, maybe, but additionally in-keeping with a sporting second that has greater than stood the check of time. That race introduced Australia to a standstill, turning into a kind of uncommon “the place have been you when?” events. Simply final 12 months, it topped a ballot by The Guardian to search out Australia’s biggest sporting second, whereas the estimated TV viewers of 8.8 million – this was earlier than the present scores system was established – stood because the nation’s largest till 2023, when it was overtaken by the ladies’s World Cup semi-final between The Matildas and England.
And the entire thing rested on one individual. Freeman, then 27, had gained two world titles in a row – in 1997 and 1999 – however the prime Olympic prize had up to now been elusive.
Her athletic expertise had been clear from an early stage and he or she was simply 16 when she turned the primary indigenous Australian to win Commonwealth gold, within the 4x100m, in 1990. Her huge particular person breakthrough got here, nonetheless, when she gained Commonwealth 200m and 400m gold in 1994. One 12 months beforehand, it had been introduced that Sydney would host the 2000 Olympics. The trail was set for a victory that might in the end be about a lot greater than sport.
After each one among her main victories, the now 52-year-old who describes herself as: “A dust and wooden lady who grew up within the outback of Queensland and Bush areas of Australia,” flew the aboriginal flag. At first, it was seen as a controversial transfer – Australia’s chef de mission in 1994 even tried to cease her from doing it – however, by the point she stood on the foot of a precipitous staircase, about to gentle the Olympic flame in Sydney, Freeman had turn out to be the general public image of reconciliation in her nation.
The method of bettering relations between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians had lengthy been on the agenda however it had by no means been extra distinguished than in 2000. Might of that 12 months had seen the “Stroll for reconciliation” throughout Sydney Harbour Bridge, the most important political demonstration in Australia’s historical past on the time.
Earlier than she had even run a step, Freeman’s very presence at that opening ceremony was vastly symbolic.

She might need ready for the Video games in England, below coach Peter Fortune and alongside fellow Olympic finalist Donna Fraser, however within the host metropolis her picture, her presence, was all over the place.
“The glare,” she says, chatting with AW from her Melbourne residence, when requested what instantly involves thoughts when she thinks again to these Video games. “The theatre of all of it, the spectacle, what it meant to individuals and the way individuals nonetheless join with these Video games. The power of that connection to these Video games is simply unflappable. Individuals are simply nonetheless so hooked up and so related to that point.”
Freeman had a robust help group however, trying again on the footage and the photographs, it’s putting how usually she gave the impression to be totally on her personal. For the overwhelming majority of individuals, simply with the ability to perform below that form of strain and a spotlight can be an achievement in itself however there was a seeming effortlessness to how she navigated by means of all of it. The important thing, she says, was conserving it easy.
“The enormity of it may have so simply overwhelmed me, and the sentimental side of it, to Australians, significantly to the First Nations neighborhood of Australia,” she says. “I used to be simply transferring by means of with a quite simple strategy to every part – to do what we might all the time carried out and handled every day as no totally different to the day earlier than when it comes to perspective, mindset, strategy, philosophies. We knew that the massive event would one way or the other pull out of me as a competitor what I wanted to launch when it comes to my competitiveness.
“I discovered and honed a method of transferring by means of all of it in order that I used to be capable of preserve my feeling of pleasure and freedom that I felt after I raced and after I ran. I used to be decided to dwell my life precisely how I needed to dwell it and that was actually clear, I really feel. And it confirmed.”

Earlier than she may embrace the familiarity of competing on the monitor, although, her ceremonial duties wanted to be accomplished – no simple process in themselves. When Freeman took the torch from 1998 Olympic 400m hurdler Debbie Flintoff-King on the opening ceremony, she had what now looks as if a faintly ludicrous variety of steps to run up, earlier than then basically lighting a hoop of fireplace round herself that might rise above her, trying just a little too shut for consolation. It’s arduous to think about it passing the well being and security checks of at present.
Along with her job seemingly carried out, Freeman stepped away, anticipating to see the “cauldron” ascending to its place on the prime of the stadium. With 3 billion individuals watching, nonetheless, it didn’t launch. For 4 lengthy minutes, Freeman remained the consummate skilled, holding her torch aloft till the issue was fastened.
“I really feel just a little bit unwell serious about these moments, as a result of it was fairly intense,” she laughs now. “The numbers if you take a look at the viewership all around the globe and in Australia are simply thoughts boggling. It is solely now I sit and I ponder these numbers and suppose: ‘Oh my goodness’.
“As a result of I used to be so centered, I form of compartmentalised lighting the flame on the opening ceremony. I stored it separate from the main target and that a part of my life and my thoughts the place I used to be there to race and I used to be there to compete to the perfect of my skill.
“It was completely a tremendous honor however no person can actually put together you for that form of wonderful accountability. Of us usually say: ‘Did it make you’re feeling such as you have been below any extra strain?’, as if I wasn’t below sufficient expectation already? However I believe rivals have this silent however lethal self perception that I held sacred.
“I knew defend my internal sanctity and I believe it additionally helped that my two coaching companions (Freeman additionally skilled with Australian runner Sean McLoughlin), after I discovered that I used to be lighting the cauldron, have been very a lot throughout what lay forward of me, and I believe that helped me cope as nicely.
“In rehearsal, the day of the opening ceremony, every part was excellent, however when it got here to the precise night time of the opening ceremony, it is now public data that the cauldron broke down and malfunctioned for 4 minutes. I believed it was far lower than that however, gee whizz, the truth that it broke down…it’s nonetheless arduous to wrap my head round that it even occurred. It may have so simply turn out to be a little bit of a real catastrophe.”
A extra comforting reminiscence comes from recalling the group’s response to her first accepting the torch. The movie clearly exhibits Freeman being considerably bowled over by the wave of affection being despatched in her path.
“I had a way for the way individuals have been going to react – not totally, however I allowed myself to consider it at instances,” she says. “I knew that when I bought on the monitor and began racing, that might be the place I felt in my ingredient at my most pure. However actually the response when Debbie Flintoff-King gave me the flame actually was actually fairly stunning. The response I felt was beautiful. I have not actually considered it earlier than, so thanks for asking, however it was heat and honest. I used to be feeling very, very honoured certainly.”
However, nonetheless, there have been 10 days between that second and the race that might outline her sporting life. 10 days for the story to develop and the strain to construct. Sydney was Freeman’s third Olympics. 4 years beforehand, in Atlanta, she had been overwhelmed to silver by Marie-José Pérec and the French two-time champion was not solely seen as the most important risk however the foe that the Australian favorite was determined to face as soon as once more.
The rematch was to not be. Claiming to have been threatened and harassed by the Australian media and public, whom she felt have been attempting to sabotage her probabilities, Pérec withdrew lower than 48 hours earlier than the opening warmth, fleeing the nation.
“My coronary heart dropped after I heard the information,” says Freeman. “I used to be quietly devastated, as a result of I knew that I wanted her. I wanted to race in opposition to her to really feel this sense of satisfaction at even having a shot at profitable in opposition to her in my residence nation.
“However, on the similar time, I revered her resolution. I bear in mind considering to myself: ‘Geez, she actually have to be so assured within the resolution that she’s made’. Selfishly, it was a heart-dropping second however, however, I needed to settle for it, and I revered her needs.”
The removing of that showdown might need made the path to gold that bit simpler for Freeman, who additionally completed sixth within the 200m remaining in Sydney, however now she was absolutely anticipated to win it.
“I used to be very clear on what I wanted to do, and I held on to my coach’s each phrase, as a result of it could usually simply make you’re feeling protected – figuring out what the directions have been and the steps I wanted to take,” she says. “The primary and second rounds are sometimes only a case of not being too complacent or overconfident, however feeling sturdy and relaxed. The semi-final is the place the depth has to extend, and also you virtually need to deal with it like a remaining, as a result of surprises occur on a regular basis. It’s important to be fairly assertive and really commanding in your presence as a contender for the gold medal, so I made positive I did that. I made positive that the opposite women have been going to need to compete in opposition to me.”

And so got here the ultimate, the place a putting shock was sprung by Freeman, who lined up in a full physique Nike “swift swimsuit”, full with hood. Certainly one thing so claustrophobic had the potential to be extra of a hindrance than a assist?
“I had these exact same questions after I was introduced with the thought and the entire idea,” she says. “[Designer] Ed Harber was a driving pressure behind the analysis and design of it, and we sat down and bought into it and mentioned it. I trialled it in a 200m race in Gateshead and I bought used to the brand new pre-race ritual.
“I used to be hesitant as a result of I believed: ‘I am already going to be given sufficient consideration. I need not add to the drama’. However, to be actually truthful, it made me really feel actually good. As quickly because the gun went off, I forgot I used to be even carrying it. I bear in mind really feeling like I used to be slicing by means of the air and it felt stunning, it felt actually good. I might not have worn it if I hadn’t felt good in it.”
There are two points to the race itself that Freeman remembers significantly clearly. The primary was that she didn’t really feel like she was being examined.
“All of us knew that I had each benefit below the solar and I bear in mind the ladies, even with 110, 120m to go, no person solid their assertiveness when it comes to: ‘I can win this’. No person actually pushed it.”
As the sector got here off the ultimate bend, Freeman, Lorraine Graham of Jamaica and Britain’s Katharine Merry have been shoulder to shoulder however it was there that the Australian strode out.
“You possibly can see that I do not actually make a transfer till we’re nicely into the house straight since you simply can sense, energetically, no person believes that they’ll win this factor,” provides Freeman. “If Marie-José Pérec had been within the race, in prime kind, the techniques of the race would have been utterly totally different. It could have been way more intense from the second the gun went.”
It was additionally, at that time, the place the chief had that sensation of dropping contact with terra firma.
“It actually felt like my ft weren’t touching the bottom and I used to be being carried,” she provides. “It simply appeared like everyone was gunning for me to win this factor and it was simply so surreal to not really feel your ft contact the bottom. It’s some of the weird set of circumstances.”
That sensation is among the explanation why, as quickly as she got here by means of the road, Freeman not solely sat down, however eliminated her footwear.
“I spent a variety of my childhood barefoot,” she says. “I believe I wanted to simply really feel the bottom below my ft, to really feel grounded as a result of there was absolute…I wouldn’t name it pandemonium however there was some magic emotion occurring round me. It was extraordinary.”
There have been some combined feelings, too.
“I bear in mind, I used to be mid-air, and I believed: ‘So that is what it feels prefer to be an Olympic champion’,” says Freeman. “After which I bear in mind trying on the time and being disillusioned. I used to be actually, actually hoping to get below 49 seconds (Freeman’s PB is 48.63), and I did not. I ran 49.11 and for 1 / 4 miler, operating 48 seconds, it is distinctive. It is a particular consequence.
“I cherish my Olympic gold medal however there’s all the time this factor about not operating 48 seconds. It’s an itch I can’t scratch or it is an itch that may all the time want scratching. It is the strangest sensation.
“I simply would have liked to have run quicker that night time. There’s part of me that [thinks] may have, would have, ought to have, however, on the finish of the day, profitable an Olympic gold medal is the top in monitor and area.”

This isn’t to say that happiness escaped the victor. Removed from it. It did take some time after the tip of the race earlier than the primary smile broke throughout her face, however she beamed for the remainder of the night time. As she accomplished her lap of honour, Freeman did so carrying each the Australian and Aboriginal flags – additional cementing that sense of unity. The transfer wasn’t totally with out controversy, although. The IOC didn’t recognise the Aboriginal flag however the then Prime Minister went as far as to ship a telegram supporting Freeman’s actions.
“I used to be simply so drowning in celebration, of feeling so personally glad and simply so completely satisfied that I would gotten by means of every part in a single piece, that I simply did not give a lot thought to the naysayers or those that did not fairly perceive or connect with why I flew each Australian flags,” she says. “I’ve come to just accept which you can’t be understood by everyone.
Not everybody’s going to embrace one another within the true spirit of solidarity. I would all the time flown each flags in any main title I’ve ever gained so it actually should not have been a shock, particularly to trace and area followers or individuals who adopted my story.”
And it undoubtedly made an impression. Freeman retired from athletics in 2003 and, 4 years later, based the Cathy Freeman Basis – now known as Murrup – to assist with education for Indigenous Australian youngsters. It’s that lap of the monitor, although, which stays the most important reference level.
“I have been advised many issues – and by my fellow First Nations neighborhood members or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander neighborhood members – that I’ve left breadcrumbs for others to comply with,” she says. “However I used to be not likely planning to create what appears to be a long-lasting impression. I used to be simply all the time about private expression and pleasure in who I used to be as an Australian Indigenous lady. It was extra about me sharing all of me with the world. However, actually in any case these years, it makes me actually proud.
“You possibly can go to a few of Australia’s most notable vacationer websites or landmarks, within the cities and within the rural components of Australia, and communities are proud to fly the Aboriginal flag. They proudly embrace the traditional tradition of indigenous people right here in Australia and it is good that I helped to create a platform, aided in the reason for being extra seen or gave voice, or nonetheless you need to put it, I actually unwittingly created this impression and that is the one method I can actually reply.”
That the story nonetheless resonates is a present that Freeman doesn’t tire of receiving.
“Anybody who was within the stadium that night time will usually share with me how they nonetheless get shivers after they mirror,” she says. “From my viewpoint, it’s a vastly totally different story however it’s one among these moments the place there actually was true unity enjoying out. It was simply so stunning to be part of and to see it in entrance of my very personal eyes.”
Does it nonetheless give her shivers?
“It completely takes my breath away.”

“I’m wondering if we’ll ever get a second of that magnitude once more”
Katharine Merry, 400m bronze medallist at Sydney 2000, shares her reminiscences of that remaining
Among the finest issues Cathy did was to embrace every part. You consider Tremendous Saturday at London 2012 with Mo Farah, Jess Ennis-Hill and Greg Rutherford. All of them had strain on them – maybe much less so with Greg – however they shared that strain and expectation on that one night time, whereas Cathy had no person to share that with. It was big.
The decision room was quiet and no-one was one another. Everybody knew what this race was about and it regularly bought greater and larger when it comes to expectation and quantity as we walked in single file, in lane order, into the stadium.
It is like any individual was turning up the quantity as we have been strolling nearer and nearer to the monitor, below the seats after which popping out into the sector. It was completely deafening once we walked in. I’ve by no means heard a sound prefer it and I by no means will once more.
There was no strain on anyone else. It was Cathy’s to lose. Just a few of us thought: “We may have a pop right here” and I attempted to win it. I needed to fly out with individuals throwing eggs at me, being that individual that completely pooped the social gathering.
We walked round to the primary bend, taking all of it in, and I noticed my coach, Linford Christie, within the crowd. He misplaced a really costly bracelet that night time as a result of it flew off when he bought too excited. He by no means bought it again. It’s humorous the belongings you bear in mind.
The starter bought us on the blocks and it went actually quiet. You possibly can have heard a pin drop. I do not bear in mind the gun going, I don’t bear in mind the primary bend, however I do bear in mind the again straight vividly, as a result of that was simply all cameras, bulbs, lights, which I hadn’t catered for. That took my consideration for just a little bit.
Many of the again finish of the race was in gradual movement and I bear in mind it in gradual movement, as a result of it was so bloody painful. That is when the wheels began falling off, and it was simply gritting my tooth and considering: ‘Do not let anybody else previous me’.
There have been three of us just about in a line coming off the ultimate bend after which Cathy pulled away. Lorraine Graham pulled away just a little bit too and I realised: ‘I’m third right here, I can’t see anybody else’, however the line simply wasn’t coming as a result of I used to be dying. Bear in mind, we’d had 4 rounds in 4 days.
Cathy wasn’t pleased with the time she ran and he or she doesn’t really feel that anyone took the problem to her, however I don’t agree with that – we simply weren’t ok. She was simply higher than us.
And it’s a second that’s stood the check of time. I used to be in a taxi in Australia throughout the Gold Coast Commonwealth Video games in 2018 and the motive force discovered that I’d come third within the remaining. He mentioned: “I keep in mind that night time”. I used to be driving my taxi and the highway have been gridlocked and I used to be considering: ‘I’m going to overlook it. I am going miss it. I have to see this race’. He pulled as much as a random individual’s home, ran and knocked on the door, and everybody was simply inviting everyone in to observe it on the TV.
No person needed to overlook it. I’m wondering if we’ll ever get a second of that magnitude once more.