Cathy Freeman has pledged her support for the Yes vote in the upcoming Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.
The Sydney 2000 Olympic champion said in a video for the Yes23 campaign that the landmark referendum was a chance to be “part of a moment that brings people together”.
She also urged Australians to “stand with me” as the country goes to the polls on October 14.
“I can’t remember a time when change was felt so urgently, when momentum was so strong.” From small towns to big cities, something is in the air. “I know all Australians feel it too,” she says in the video.
A stand at the Accor Stadium will be renamed the Cathy Freeman Stand
“We have the chance to be part of a moment that brings people together and to work hard for something we can all believe in.”
“And right now, each of us can be part of something that really matters.”
Freeman urged her listeners to “stand together and show our support to the Australians who need it most.”
She said a yes vote would “recognize Indigenous peoples in our Constitution for the first time ever.”
This would “give our children the very best start in life, an equal start in life.”
Her final appeal was for all Australians to “open our hearts and transform our future” by voting “yes” in the October 14 referendum.
Freeman is considered an icon of Indigenous sporting achievement, having captured the hearts of the nation – and the world – during her illustrious sporting career.
It is the second award for Freeman this year, after she was also shortlisted for the Wilderness Society’s Karajia Award for her children’s book “The Heartbeat of the Land.”
As the nation cheered her on to win the gold medal in Sydney, a triumphant Freeman wrapped herself in the Aboriginal flag as she took a victory lap in front of a sold-out arena full of spectators.
Previously, she was chosen as the final torchbearer, striding into the stadium and lighting the cauldron that officially opened the games during the opening ceremony.
Last week she became the first woman in NSW to have her grandstand named after her. The state government announced this at the Accor Stadium, where it won gold in the 400-meter final of the Olympic Games 23 years ago.
A public nomination process followed, asking people to nominate a female athlete whose name could be added to the stands.
It is the second award for Freeman this year, after she was also shortlisted for the Wilderness Society’s Karajia Award for her children’s book “The Heartbeat of the Land.”
Despite the star power that the Yes23 campaign has attracted in support of the Voice, which includes a pantheon of sporting greats and musicians such as John Farnham, opinion polls have shown the referendum heading for defeat.
The latest Resolve Political Monitor poll found that just 43 percent of voters supported a plan to enshrine the vote in the constitution, down 20 percentage points from a year ago.
To pass the referendum, an overall majority of votes and a majority of states are required.
Who is Cathy Freeman?
Freeman was born on February 16, 1973 in Mackay, Queensland, Australia and is a former sprinter who specialized in the 400 m.
Growing up, she was successful in school sporting events. In 1987, she was coached by her stepfather Bruce Barber and won various regional and national titles.
She began her career at the age of 16 when she won gold in the 4x100m relay at the Auckland Commonwealth Games.
The win in Auckland made her one of the competition’s youngest entrants and the first Indigenous Australian to win gold.
Freeman won three more gold medals at the subsequent Commonwealth Games and a silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
The 50-year-old took first place in the 400-meter dash at the 1997 World Championships and again in 1999.
The greatest moment of her career came at the 2000 Olympic Games in Australia, where she won gold in the 400m final in 49.11 seconds, becoming only the second Australian Aboriginal Olympic champion.
Freeman also had the honor of lighting the Olympic torch at the Sydney Games.
The biggest moment of her career came at the 2000 Olympics in Australia, where she won gold in the 400m final in 49.11 seconds
The former Olympic star retired in 2003 when she realized she would never top her performance at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
After an incredible performance at the 2000 Olympics, she ended her sporting career in 2003.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald in 2003, Cathy said that her decision to quit sprinting came when she realized she would never surpass her performance at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
“I will never have the same fulfilling moment again,” she explained.
“I don’t have the same hunger.” “I know what it takes to be a champion, to be the best in the world, but I just don’t have that feeling right now.”
Freeman then founded the Cathy Freeman Foundation, an organization that supports Indigenous students.
She was also an ambassador for the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation until 2012.
In 2014, Cathy resigned from her position as ambassador for Cottage by the Sea, a children’s holiday camp in Victoria.
She had a long-term relationship with fellow track and field star Nic Bideau, who helped her win gold at the 2000 Olympics after their relationship ended.
Cathy was married to her first husband, Alexander “Sandy” Bodecker, from 1999 to 2003.
Before they split in 2005, she dated actor Joel Edgerton and married her second husband, James Murch, in 2009.
In 2011 they had a daughter, Ruby.
Why is she on crutches?
Back in July, Freeman made a surprise visit to the Matildas ahead of the Women’s World Cup – and appeared to be struggling with a painful leg injury.
The players attended what they thought was a tactics meeting with coach Tony Gustavsson – only to be stunned when Freeman hobbled into the room with the help of crutches.
Freeman was then pictured sitting with his left leg raised.
Freeman suffered an unfortunate accident at home earlier this year in which she ruptured her Achilles tendon.
Freeman had to use crutches to move around during the team meeting and was pictured sitting with his left leg raised
What did she say on the witness stand?
Freeman said she was “deeply honored and humbled” to be permanently recognized at a stadium that holds a special place in her heart.
“I hope my story continues to inspire generations of girls and boys to pursue their own dreams in sports and in life,” she said.
Premier Chris Minns said it was time to name a grandstand in NSW after a woman and he couldn’t think of a better candidate than the Indigenous sports star.
“Everyone remembers where they were when Cathy Freeman ran her historic 400m race to win gold for Australia at the Sydney Olympics,” he said.
“I want the next generation of young girls to watch sports in this stadium, look up at the Cathy Freeman stand and think about their own sporting dreams.”
