Cathy Freeman had a difficult childhood, and as an Indigenous Australian, she suffered discrimination. Although her talent in running was obvious, Cathy was also a member of a minority group that historically had not had access to the same resources as other athletes. But Cathy dreamed of winning an Olympic gold medal, and she kept her eyes on that prize.

At the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, Cathy lit the flame at the opening ceremony, and went on to win a gold medal in the 400 metres – the first Indigenous Australian to win an individual Olympic gold medal. Whether speaking up for the rights of Indigenous people or competing on a track, Cathy has always shown great courage and has never let obstacles stop her from achieving her goals. When she retired from running in 2003, she began to focus on supporting charity and her community. The Cathy Freeman Foundation provides education opportunities to Indigenous Australians.