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Competing from age 16, Freeman becomes a well-known figure at home and is the first Aboriginal athlete to represent Australia

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Freeman's first individual gold is at the 1994 Commonwealth Games and she is the first sportsperson to lift the Aborigine flag

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But despite a huge performance at the World Championships in Gothenburg in 1995, Freeman misses out on a medal

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Freeman (right) bounces back at the 1996 Olympics, taking 400m silver and becoming the sixth fastest woman ever over 400m

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At the World Championships in Athens the following year, Freeman wins 400m gold and an official world number one ranking

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She successfully defends her 400m crown at the 1999 World Championships in Seville, as a home Olympic Games in 2000 beckons

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By now a national treasure, Freeman is given the honour of lighting the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony in Sydney

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It's a dream come true for the 27-year-old as she coasts to her first Olympic gold in the 400m and her country's 100th

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After claiming World Sportswoman of the Year award, Freeman decides to take two years off for personal reasons

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Back in action at the Commonwealth Games in 2002, Freeman helps Australia to 4x400m gold but forgoes the individual event

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Despite a solid start to 2003, Freeman's unbeaten run of 25 400m races ends with defeat to compatriot Jana Pittman in March

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Despite hinting she would compete this summer, Freeman announces her retirement, saying her heart is no longer in the sport