|  | | Last Updated: Tuesday, 15 July, 2003, 17:57 GMT 18:57 UK |
Freeman's career in focus
| | CATHY FREEMAN Born: 16 February 1973 Olympic record: One gold (2000) and one silver (1996) World Championship record: Two golds (1997, 1999), one bronze (1995 relay) Records 400m Commonwealth |
Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman has announced her retirement at the age of 30. The Australian collected a string of medals in a 13-year career, despite moments of controversy and tragedy throughout her career. 1973 Born in Mackay, Queensland. 1990 Named Young Australian of the Year after winning Commonwealth Games gold at the age of 16 as part of the 4x100m relay team. 1992 Becomes the first Aboriginal track athlete to compete for Australia at the Olympic Games. 1994 Wins Commonwealth gold in the 200m and 400m in Victoria. Causes controversy by waving the Aboriginal flag along with the Australian flag on her victory laps. This action raises her profile dramatically around the world. 1996 At the Olympics, runs the sixth fastest time ever in the 400m and breaks the Commonwealth record - but still has to settle for silver behind Marie Jose Perec. 1999 Defends her World Championship title in Seville, having taken gold two years earlier in Athens. In the same year, she marries Nike executive Sandy Bodecker. 2000 Freeman finally realises her dream of winning Olympic gold - in front of an ecstatic crowd in Sydney. She is the first Aboriginal to win an Olympic gold medal, days after she lit the flame at a spectacular opening ceremony. Off the track, Freeman announces she has split with manager Nick Bideau, a former partner, prompting legal wranglings over her endorsement earnings. 2001 Takes a break from athletics. 2002 Withdraws from the Commonwealth Games after her husband is diagnosed with cancer. Later decides to run in the 4x400m relay, helping Australia to the gold medal. 2003 Freeman's 400m winning streak stretching back 25 races to July 1998 is ended in March by Jana Pittman, a month after she reveals her marriage has ended. She announces her retirement in July.
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