Was Cathy Freeman the first Aboriginal to win a gold medal?

Was Cathy Freeman the first Aboriginal to win a gold medal?

Cathy Freeman, byname of Catherine Astrid Salome Freeman, (born February 16, 1973, Mackay, Queensland, Australia), Australian sprinter who excelled in the 400-metre dash and who in 2000 became the first Australian Aboriginal person to win an individual Olympic gold medal.

What did Cathy Freeman win her first gold medal for?

She won her first gold medal in the 4 by 100 metre relay at the 1990 Commonwealth Games when she was just sixteen years old. At the 1994, Commonwealth Games Cathy caused controversy by carrying the Aboriginal flag as well as the Australian national flag during her victory lap of the 200 metres sprint.

How many gold medals did Cathy Freeman win?

Cathy Freeman has won 10 medals in major competitions. She has won 5 medals in the Commonwealth games, 2 in the Olympic games and 3 in the World Championships. In total, she has won 7 gold medals.

When was Cathy Freeman at the Commonwealth Games?

In 2014 Fox Sports chose Freeman’s performances at Victoria 1994 as the greatest moment in Australia’s Commonwealth Games history. She will be an ambassador at Gold Coast 2018, where organisers will once again use a major event to help showcase Aboriginal history and culture.

When did Cathy Freeman win the Order of Australia?

Career Highlight: Gold Medallist in 400m, 2000 Sydney Olympics. Recent Awards: Among many other achievements, Cathy was awarded the Centenery Medal in 2003, Order of Australia Medal (Australia Day Honours) in 2001, and Australian of the Year in 1998.

When did Cathy Freeman lit the Olympic flame?

Olympic Games: Sydney, Australia, 2000. …ceremonies came when Aboriginal runner Cathy Freeman lit the Olympic flame. She later won the gold medal in the 400-metre event.

What did Cathy Freeman win at the Commonwealth Games?

Cathy Freeman Cathy Freeman (athletics) won five medals at the Commonwealth Games, four of them gold, including the 200m and 400m double in 1994 in Victoria, in what was a breakthrough performance. Making her debut for Australia at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games at 16-years-old, Freeman ran a leg of the gold medal winning 4x100m relay.

How many medals did Cathy Freeman win in the Olympics?

Cathy Freeman won two medals in the Olympic Games, Silver at the 1996 Games in 400 meter run and Gold at the 2000 Games in 400 meter run. She also won 2 Gold and 1 Bronze at the World Championships of 1995, 97 and 99 – all involving 400m; and 4 Gold and 1 Silver at the Commonwealth Games over different years.

How old was Cathy Freeman when she won gold in Sydney?

Cathy Freeman after her most famous victory at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.Credit:Lorraine Graham/ Reuters. The 44-year-old from Mackay became a 400-metre specialist and, in that event, won the gold medal at the Sydney Olympic Games.

Who was in the 400m final with Cathy Freeman?

American sprinter Michael Johnson, who won the men’s 400m gold medal later that night, said all eight finalists in that event stood trackside to watch Freeman race. Those who witnessed the event recall much the same things: the tension before the starter’s gun, the drama of the race itself and, particularly, the noise.